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Saùng-Gauk

19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 684
This richly decorated arched harp has 13 twisted silk strings of varying diameter. Each string connects to a gold-painted stringholder which runs the length of the gold-lacquered deerskin belly. The strings are secured to the neck with red-twisted cotton cords (tuning rings), which end with a gold colored metallic tassel. The sides of the instrument depict scenes from the Ramayana in gold against a black field. Often used to accompany songs, instruments like this one had their orgins in ancient India and represent one of the oldest surviving harp traditions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Saùng-Gauk
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Mandalay?, Myanmar (formerly Burma)
  • Culture: Burmese
  • Medium: Wood, deerskin, paint, cotton cord, metal, glass
  • Dimensions: H. 35 5/16 × W. 34 1/4 × D. 8 1/16 in. (89.7 × 87 × 20.5 cm)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Harp
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.1465a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

Audio

Cover Image for 9318. Saùng-Gauk

9318. Saùng-Gauk

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