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19th century
Object Place: Sri Lanka
Medium/Technique
Wood, snakeskin
Dimensions
Length 87.6 cm, width 16.5 cm, depth 12.3 cm (Length 34 1/2 in., width 6 1/2 in., depth 4 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.2169
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionHemispherical body of gourd with belly of reptile skin tacked on with band of red cloth around perimeter. Body pierced by neck of black painted wood, terminating in hook shape above pegbox. Four lateral tuning pegs of wood, painted black. Later copper strings tied to bulbous peg piercing lower end of neck spike. Later flat bridge of wood painted black.
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)