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Tanbūr Panj Simi

Khodaverdi Iranian
1940
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
The invention of this five-string tanbūr allowed Elahi to synthesize the instrument’s sacred repertoire with that of classical Persian music. It has a slightly larger body and neck. The first two rows of strings reproduce the configuration of the tanbūr, while the other two strings—one in unison with the high pitch, the other with the low octave—are like that of the setār.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tanbūr Panj Simi
  • Maker: Khodaverdi (Iranian)
  • Date: 1940
  • Geography: Teheran, Iran
  • Culture: Iranian
  • Medium: Mulberry, walnut, wire,cord
  • Dimensions: W. 7 1/16 ×D. 6 9/16 × L. 36 7/16 in. (18 × 16.7 × 92.5 cm)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
  • Credit Line: Private collection
  • Object Number: L.2017.52.2a
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments