Bronze bowls like this one have been found in China that date back to the 5th century B.C. Also known as spouting bowls or fish basins, they were used as an aid to meditation. Traditionally, the pattern on the inside bottom of the bowl depicted either fish or dragons. When the bowl is filled with water and the handles are rubbed in a back-and-forth motion, various modes of vibrations are created that cause the bowl to sing. This is similar to the effect produced by rubbing your finger around the rim of a wine glass. With the Dancing Water Bowl, those vibrations will actually cause the water to spout up in intricate patterns.

You can create this unique and beautiful effect with a little practice. First wash your hands with soap and water to remove any oil from the surface of your skin. This step is extremely important as you won't be able to achieve the desired effect if your hands are not completely oil free. Fill the bowl about halfway with water and set it on the grass outside or on a padded surface, like a carpeted floor, inside. Kneel over the bowl, wet your hands and, using the open palms of your hands, rub the handles back and forth in a slow, deliberate fashion. The vibrations created from rubbing the handles will produce a low ringing sound and you should begin to see patterns of ripples forming on the surface of the water. Gradually, the water should begin to shoot up, as if spouting out of the mouths of the four dragons below.

Remember that the same vibrations that create the ethereal sounds you hear also cause the movement of the water. Try creating different tones by experimenting with how fast you rub and the amount of pressure used and notice the effect on the water in the bowl. In just a short amount of time, you can learn to make the water "dance!"

The Dancing Water Bowl is a decorative and musical item. The bowl should remain empty when displaying and water added only when playing it. Fissures may occur naturally in the hand-casting process, so we recommend that water not be left in the bowl for long periods of time.

Caution: This bowl is not food safe and water should not be left where animals might drink it.