Tibetan Damaru or Hourglass Drum with Tassle

A small drum, a silver band and a flurry of colored tassels.

This damaru, or hourglass drum, from Tibet is dated in the record to the mid or late 19th century. It is made of bone, hide and silver. The damaru is commonly associated with Tibetan Buddhist ritual practice, where it is shaken to sound the beads against the skin. The drum’s waist is wrapped in an ornamented silver band with a tight pattern. A tangle of red, gold, green and teal textile and thread tassels trails below it.

About six inches tall. Rich in color, and small enough to hold in one hand.