Jew's Harp
The Maori jew's harp (rooria or kukau) is used, like the musical bow in other parts of Polynesia and Melanesia, to simulate lover's speech. Made of flexible bamboo; it is held against the teeth while the split tongue is plucked. Changes of timbre occur as the player alters the formation of his mouth cavity; thus, the rooria can imitate speech patterns. The quiet sound is sometimes accompanied by guttural voiced tones.
Artwork Details
- Title: Jew's Harp
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: New Zealand
- Culture: New Zealander, Polynesian
- Medium: Bamboo, fiber.
- Dimensions: Other (Frame): 3.5 x 1 x 27.9cm (1 3/8 x 3/8 x 11in.)
Overall (Tongue): .9 x .2 x 22.7cm (5/16 x 1/16 x 8 15/16in.) - Classification: Idiophone-Plucked / Depressed
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.745
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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Maori
late 19th century
Maori
early 19th century
Melanesian (Fijian)
ca. 1830
New Guinean
late 19th century
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