Quwaytara
A smaller, narrower, and more decorative variant of the Arab ūd, the quwaytara is now found only in Algeria. Its name means "Andalusian ūd," referencing music introduced to North Africa by Moors following their expulsion from Iberia at the end of the fifteenth century. This beautiful version features a vase-shaped Tree of Life soundhole.
Artwork Details
- Title: Quwaytara
- Date: late 19th century
- Geography: Morocco
- Culture: Moroccan
- Medium: Wood, mother-of-pearl
- Dimensions: W. 9 13/16 × D. 7 × L. 32 1/2 in. (25 × 17.8 × 82.5 cm)
Body L. 17 in. (43.2 cm.) fingerboard to nut 9 1/2 in. (24.2 cm)
String length: 23 9/16 in. (59.8 cm) - Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-unfretted
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.401
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.