Part of National Museums Liverpool

Flageolet / Gyaling

50.31.79a

Part of

Charles Bell collection

The Charles Bell Tibet collection of nearly 200 objects and photo albums is an important archive of the Anglo-Tibetan encounter of the early 20th century.

About this object

One of a pair of wood and silver gilt flageolets or gyaling. The gyaling has a wooden neck, silver gilt mouth and mouthpiece. The mouth is decorated with lapis, turquoise and corals set into repoussé mounts. The gyaling has a detachable cover for the mouthpiece and a finial in the shape of a lotus. The instrument comes with a modern case of wood covered in red cotton.

Object specifics

  • Type
    Religion; Music/sound
  • Culture
    Tibetan
  • Artist/Maker
    Unknown or unrecorded
  • Place made
    Asia: Central Asia: Tibet [China]: Ü-Tsang: Lhasa
  • Date made
    20th Century early
  • Materials
    Coral; Gilt Silver; Brass; Wood; Textile Cotton; Turquoise; Lapis-lazuli
  • Location
    World Museum, Level 3, World Cultures
  • Acquisition
    From the Collection of Sir Charles Bell
  • Collector
    Charles Alfred Bell
  • Place collected
    Asia: Southern Asia: India: West Bengal: Darjeeling
  • Date collected
    1910-09-05
  • Measurements
    495 mm; x 19 1/2 in
  • Note
    List of Curios No 71:
    A pair of silver gilt Gyalings given me by the Dalai Lama on 5th September 1910. They come from the Nam-gye Tra-tsang , the College of Monks in the Potala. In modern frames covered with red cloth. They are blown before the Dalai Lama when he goes anywhere in the morning and evening. They were made by the Tibetan Government workers in gold and silver called (‘dod dpal) literally "one who makes things excellently according to his wishes". Only this artificers of the Tibetan government are called (‘dod dpal).
  • Related people
    13th Dalai Lama (gifted by); Charles Alfred Bell (Collector)

Explore related

Publications

  • List of Curios

    Bell, Charles Alfred

    Author: Bell, Charles Alfred
    Publisher:
    Date:
    Description: A typed object catalogue from Bell's handwritten notes on a wide variety of objects from his personal collection. This information often contains, the date he obtained an object, its provenance (including where and who he acquired from) and the person responsible for giving him the information. The process of writing the inventory began in December 1912 and continued until the late 1930s.

  • Tibet: Catalogue of Exhibits

    Tankard, Elaine

    Author: Tankard, Elaine
    Publisher: Liverpool Public Museums
    Date: 1953-03
    Description: Introductory essay and catalogue entries, in themes, for the 1953 exhibition; 'Tibet', held at the Walker Art Gallery.

Events

  • 13th Dalai Lama's exile in British India 1910-1912

    Start date: 1910
    End date: 1910
    Description: Following an increase in hostilities between China and Tibet and the arrival of two thousand Chinese troops into Lhasa, the 13th Dalai Lama and a small entourage fled Lhasa during the night of 12 February 1910. Having been cut off from travelling to Mongolia they decided to head for British India and Sikkim. They rode hard with Chinese troops following closely behind them. A young member of the entourage Chensal Namgang (who would later become Tsarong Shapé), along with a small party, held back the Chinese troops at Chaksam Ferry giving the Dalai Lama time to make it to Phari, where W P Rosemeyer, a British India telegraph engineer gave him protection at a dak bungalow. The following day the Dalai Lama rode on to Yatung, where he was again given protection by David Macdonald (British Trade Agent), he finally rode on to Gnatong and to British India protection on 21st February 1910. Charles Bell was the officer in charge of the Dalai Lama and his entourage, during his time in British India and the two men developed a strong friendship during this event. The Dalai Lama was to stay in British India for over 2 years, only returning to Lhasa once Chinese troops had been removed and the intense fighting in Lhasa had stopped. This event would trigger the Dalai Lama's proclamation of Tibetan Independence in February 1913 and a series of modernising reforms.

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