This is an incredible singing bowl, standing bowl, or the many other names these beautiful pieces go by. This one has its own pillow and mallet and shows the hand-made details of the maker. It is said the standing bowl originated in China somewhere from 16^th-11^th century BC and were called Nao. Of course, this one is not that old! We believe it to be 20^th century AD. Currently you find these more in sets than singles, but they were not produced as sets in the beginning but as single specimens or sometimes in chimed sets of three. Initially used in the Orient primarily in religious ceremonies, around the 1970s or possibly earlier, they became a modern-day phenomenon in the western hemisphere being used as musical instruments, ceremonial amenities, or alternative healing. To create its beautiful sound the bowl is struck with a mallet of varying types to create different sustained ringing. Therefore, another name they go by is struck bowl. Sound can also be generated by running a specific mallet around the inside rim in a continual motion to create a different type of vibration. And water can be added for tuning. Now, having told you all this……I would use this bowl as a gorgeous centerpiece or stunning décor and object d’art. So, whether you love it for its sound or its looks….you need to make it yours.