Rebāb

Unknown

19th century · wood, brass, mother-of-pearl, gut, leather, bone, lace · Musical Instruments

This type of rebāb is one of the most important instruments in traditional Arabic ensembles of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. It made its way into Spain with the Moors and from about 1300 lent its name to the early European fiddle, the rebec, which was originally played with the rounded end on the lap just as the rabāb may be played today. Short-necked, bowed lutes from Algeria are made with decorative pierced brass fingerboards while those from Morocco use wood to cover the hollowed neck.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

wood, brass, mother-of-pearl, gut, leather, bone, lace

Culture

Possibly Algerian

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889