Antique Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Copper DungChen – Barbara J. Walters Estate

This item came from Barbara J. Walters NYC apartment and was one of the exceptional, diverse, and fascinating articles the legendary journalist accumulated over her long life. One can but wonder the story behind her acquiring this horn – a gift from a Tibetan dignitary, a travel souvenir. Who knows? One thing is for certain, this item would make for a wonderful conversation piece.

The Tibetan trumpet is called DungChen, which literally means Dung = Horn, Chen = big. The DungChen is used in Tibetan monasteries for classical ceremonial music, often played by at least two monks. They have shallow mouthpieces and can play several notes similar to a bugle. Typically, they are used for a constant drone as a background for chanting. They are also known as Rag Dung.

Dimensions:
60″h (extended) 24″h (retracted) x 7″dia

Condition:
Fair. Copper with natural patina, scattered small dings, scratches, and rubbing to silver finish.

Provenance:
The Estate of Barbara J. Walters: 944 Fifth Avenue, NYC

Barbara Walters was a trailblazing television news broadcaster and longtime ABC News anchor and correspondent who shattered the glass ceiling and became a dominant force in an industry once dominated by men.

Walters joined ABC News in 1976, becoming the first female anchor on an evening news program. Three years later, she became a co-host of “20/20,” and in 1997, she launched “The View.” In a career that spanned five decades, Walters won 12 Emmy awards, 11 of those while at ABC News.

Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company which is the parent company of ABC News, praised Walters as someone who broke down barriers.“Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself. She was a one-of-a-kind reporter who landed many of the most important interviews of our time, from heads of state to the biggest celebrities and sports icons.