Tombak
Goblet shaped drums are distributed in areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, across North Africa and eastward to the Philippines. This Persian drum is elaborately decorated Khatam kari marquetry. Its surface is finely inlaid with bone, wood, and brass micro-mosaics forming stars, lozenges, and inscriptions. The poetic calligraphy at the top reads: "When it sounds, it makes everyone in the world happy."
Artwork Details
- Title: Tombak
- Date: late 19th century
- Geography: Shiraz, Iran (Persia)
- Culture: Iranian (Persian)
- Medium: Various woods, bone, brass, skin
- Dimensions: Height: 18 in. (45.7 cm)
Width: 11 in. (27.9 cm)
Diameter (At widest point): 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm)
Diameter (Of base): 31 in. (78.7 cm) - Classification: Membranophone
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.1310
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Iranian
late 19th century
Iranian (Persian)
late 19th century
Iranian (Persian)
ca. 1880
Iranian (Persian)
late 19th century
Iranian (Persian)
late 19th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
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.