Bak (Clappers)

Unknown

20th century · Wood · Musical Instruments

The Bak clapper is made of six flat wood boards tied together at one end. Since the Unified Silla dynasty (668-935), its clattering sound has marked the start of a ritual or court performance and punctuated the ends of musical sections. The musician playing this time-keeping instrument often serves as the conductor and leader of the ensemble. Description: six rectangular, red-lacquered slabs of pakdal wood, the slabs free at one end and having two holes in the other through which they are laced together by four strands of rawhide; imitation antique coins laced between each slab, the rawhide braided at ends and terminating in blue tassels.

Artist

Unknown

Date

20th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

Korean

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Daewoo Group, 1981