Gamelan string instrument with bow and stand

Title
Gamelan string instrument with bow and stand
Year/Period
c.1960's
Region
Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia
Object Type
rebabs (spike fiddles), bowed string instruments
Material
wood (plant material), skin (collagenous material), hair (material)
Technique
woodworking, assembling (additive and joining process), carving (processes)
Dimension
Object size: 001: L59.0 x W35.0 x H56.0 cm,
Object size: 002: L109.0 x W50.0 x H9.5 cm,
Object size: 003: L63.0 x W11.0 x H1.0 cm,
Object size: 004: L14.0 x W1.0 x H3.0 cm,
Object size: 005: L13.0 x W6.0 x H3.0 cm,
Object size: Please refer to individual parts
Accession No.
2000-08192
NLB Type
Musical instrument

This two-stringed instrument is known as a rebab. It is one of the softer instruments that plays elaborate melodies in gamelan music, which are usually heard at the begining and end of a performance. A gamelan ensemble comprises mainly bronze gongs, drums, and various wind and string instruments. 'Gamelan’ refers to the action (‘an’) of hammering (‘gamel’) by striking the bronze instruments with beaters. Beliefs in the spiritual power of gamelan produce great respect for the instruments. Today gamelan music remains an important part of court and village life in Java. Many sets are kept as royal heirlooms (pusaka) and are played at important ceremonies.