Rubab

Unknown

early 20th century · Wood and various materials · Musical Instruments

Afghanistan’s national instrument, the rubāb is also popular in northwest India and Pakistan and may be the ancestor of the sarod. Carved from a single piece of mulberry wood and covered with skin, the instrument has a lively and percussive sound. This Afghan rubāb is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay, which accentuates the wood’s deep tones and textures.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 20th century

Medium

Wood and various materials

Culture

Afghan

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, by exchange; and Gift of Mark H. Handwerk, in memory of Mary Lewin Wethered Clark Handwerk, by exchange, 1990