Zither with box

Title

Zither with box

Year/Period

c.1960's

Region

Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Object Type

zithers, gamelan instruments, musical accessories

Material

wood (plant material), metal

Technique

woodworking, metalworking

Dimension

Object size: 001: L53.0 x W24.0 x H15.0 cm,
Object size: 002: L49.0 x W19.0 x H11.0 cm,
Object size: 003: L6.0 x W5.5 x H1.5 cm

Accession No.

2000-08193

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This metallic string instrument plays the softer elaborate melodies in gamelan music. A gamelan is an ensemble of mainly bronze gongs, drums, and several other types of 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.