Naga Pedestal Singing Bowl - Shape, Sound and What It Is Used For
A Naga pedestal bowl is a rounded singing bowl that stands on a metal foot fixed to its base, like a small chalice. It gives a bright, clear, ringing tone, is usually played around the rim, and the foot lets you hold it at any angle or stand it on an altar.
Key takeaways
- Know it by the foot: a round metal pedestal fixed to the bottom.
- Rounded bowl: widest around the middle, with a plain lip.
- Bright and clear: a ringing tone that carries well.
- Hold or display: lift it by the foot, or stand it on an altar.
What is a Naga pedestal singing bowl?
The Naga pedestal is one of the rarer antique forms, also called a pedestal, stem or chalice bowl. It is made in two parts, a bowl and a round metal foot, joined so the foot is part of the bowl.
Naga is the serpent spirit of Hindu and Buddhist tradition, but why this bowl carries the name is not known for certain. We do not put a date on any bowl, as our guide on how to spot a fake antique singing bowl explains.
How do you recognise a Naga pedestal bowl?
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Foot | A round metal pedestal fixed to the bottom of the bowl |
| Bowl | Rounded, widest around the middle rather than at the rim |
| Lip | Plain; heavier bowls can have a groove |
| Lines | Fine pairs of lines cut just below the rim |
| Inside | Some have a small circle at the centre |
| Marks | A few carry a dot-punched inscription on the outside |
| Size | Small to medium; ours are 6 and 6.5 inches |
Turn it over. If a round metal foot is fixed to the bottom, lifting the bowl off the table, you are holding a Naga pedestal bowl.
How does a Naga pedestal bowl sound?
- Bright: a clear note in the middle to higher range.
- Strong: the rounded bowl seems to fill its own sound, so it carries well.
- Responsive: it sings quickly when rimmed.
Every bowl has its own note, set by its size and wall. Find the note of yours with our free live singing bowl tuner.
Why does the foot matter?
- A handle: hold the bowl by its foot and rim it at any angle, without touching the walls.
- Closer to the listener: a practitioner can bring the sound near a client's body.
- A steady stand: it sits level on an altar or shelf without a cushion.
Looking for a Naga pedestal bowl?
Our old collected Naga pedestal bowls come in 6 and 6.5 inches. Sunita chooses yours from the collection after your order arrives.
How is it different from other rounded forms?
| Feature | Naga pedestal | Mani | Goalbati |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underneath | A fixed metal foot | Wide flat base | Small rounded base |
| Body | Rounded, widest at the middle | Low belly, walls tapering up | Round all over |
| Sound | Bright and ringing | Steady and pulsing | Deep and warm |
| On a table | Stands on its foot | Stands on its base | Needs a ring cushion |
Read more in our Mani guide and Remuna and Goalbati guide, and see the raised centre of another form in what a Lingam singing bowl is. Every form is together in our guide to every type of singing bowl.
What is a Naga pedestal bowl used for?
- Sound therapy: held by the foot and played close to the body.
- The altar: a footed bowl stands well as an offering bowl or altar piece.
- Clearing a room: carry it from corner to corner as you play, as in how to cleanse a room with a singing bowl.
- Meditation: a bright, clear sound to begin and end.
A Naga pedestal bowl supports relaxation and does not treat any condition. If you like a bowl you can hold by a handle, see also our double chalice handle singing bowl set.
How do you play a Naga pedestal bowl?
- Hold the foot firmly, or stand the bowl on a flat surface.
- Rim slowly around the outer edge of the rim with a wooden mallet.
- Use light pressure: it answers quickly, so it needs less force than a heavy bowl.
- Strike gently on the upper wall if you want a single bell-like note.
For the basics of striking and rimming, read how to play a singing bowl in our free course.
How is your bowl chosen?
Our antique bowls are listed by form, not as one numbered piece. After your order arrives, Sunita chooses one from the collection from her experience in practice.
Each one is unique in tone, patina and marks, so yours will differ a little from the photos. Dispatch is from Kathmandu in 3–4 business days by DHL Express.
Want old bowls as a set? An antique set can be put together to order through our set builder.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Naga pedestal singing bowl?
It is a rounded antique singing bowl that stands on a metal foot fixed to its base, like a small chalice. It is also called a pedestal, stem or chalice bowl.
Why is it called Naga?
Naga is the serpent spirit of Hindu and Buddhist tradition, but why this bowl carries the name is not known for certain.
How do I recognise a Naga pedestal bowl?
Look underneath. It stands on a round metal foot fixed to the bottom, and the bowl above is rounded, widest around the middle, often with fine pairs of lines below the rim.
What does a Naga pedestal bowl sound like?
Bright, clear and strong, with a ringing tone that carries well. The note sits in the middle to higher range, and the bowl answers quickly when rimmed.
How do you play a pedestal singing bowl?
Hold it by the foot, or stand it on a flat surface, and rim it slowly around the outer edge with a wooden mallet. The foot lets you play it at any angle.
Is the foot part of the bowl?
Yes. On our Naga pedestal bowls the metal foot is fixed to the bottom of the bowl, not a separate stand.
How old is a Naga pedestal singing bowl?
We do not put a date on any bowl, because age cannot be proved from patina or wear. It is a traditional form, and we choose each bowl for its sound.
See all our antique forms
Naga pedestal, Mani, Jambati, Thadobati, Manipuri, Remuna, Goalbati, Koprebati, Ultabati and Lingam, each chosen by Sunita for its sound.
