Kamanche

Unknown

ca. 1869 · Wood, metal, etc. · Musical Instruments

Kamanche is a Persian term that was first used in the 10th century to describe an instrument which is sounded with a bow. From there bowed instruments spread to Byzantium and Central Asia and the Far East, and then to Europe. In Egypt it is known as the rabab, a term which is known throughout the Islamic world from north Africa to southeast Asia. Held upright on its spike, it is bowed with the right hand in a palm-up position. This handgrip, used when bowed instruments were introduced to Europe, is a type still in use globally when playing spike fiddles.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1869

Medium

Wood, metal, etc.

Culture

Iranian (Persian)

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889