Bak (Clappers)
The Bak clapper is made of six flat wood boards tied together at one end. Since the Unified Silla dynasty (668-935), its clattering sound has marked the start of a ritual or court performance and punctuated the ends of musical sections. The musician playing this time-keeping instrument often serves as the conductor and leader of the ensemble.
Description: six rectangular, red-lacquered slabs of pakdal wood, the slabs free at one end and having two holes in the other through which they are laced together by four strands of rawhide; imitation antique coins laced between each slab, the rawhide braided at ends and terminating in blue tassels.
Description: six rectangular, red-lacquered slabs of pakdal wood, the slabs free at one end and having two holes in the other through which they are laced together by four strands of rawhide; imitation antique coins laced between each slab, the rawhide braided at ends and terminating in blue tassels.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bak (Clappers)
- Date: 20th century
- Geography: Korea
- Culture: Korean
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: L. of slabs: 36.9 cm (15-5/8 in.); Max. W. at free end: 6.4 cm (2-1/2 in.); W. at connected end: 4.6 cm (1-7/8 in.)
- Classification: Idiophone-Struck-bell-clapper
- Credit Line: Gift of Daewoo Group, 1981
- Object Number: 1981.28.12
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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Chinese
late 19th century
Kim Kwang Ju
ca. 1980
Kim Kwang Ju
ca. 1980
Korean
ca. 1980
Korean
ca. 1980
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