Saùng-Gauk

Unknown

19th century · Wood, deerskin, paint, cotton cord, metal, glass · Musical Instruments

This richly decorated arched harp has 13 twisted silk strings of varying diameter. Each string connects to a gold-painted stringholder which runs the length of the gold-lacquered deerskin belly. The strings are secured to the neck with red-twisted cotton cords (tuning rings), which end with a gold colored metallic tassel. The sides of the instrument depict scenes from the Ramayana in gold against a black field. Often used to accompany songs, instruments like this one had their orgins in ancient India and represent one of the oldest surviving harp traditions.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, deerskin, paint, cotton cord, metal, glass

Culture

Burmese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889