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Barbat Lute

Barbat Lute

Public Domain

Barbat Lute
Artist
CultureTurkish
Titles
  • Barbat Lute
Datelate 19th–early 20th century
MediumWood; inlaid with ebony, ivory, and mother-of-pearl
Dimensions36 3/4 × 14 3/4 × 8 in. (93.3 × 37.5 × 20.3 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Franci Neely in honor of her son, Andrew Ellingson Beck III
Object number2010.223
Current Location
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
113 Islamic Art Gallery
On view

Explore Further

Department
Art of the Islamic Worlds
Object Type
DescriptionThe barbat is a stringed instrument from the lute, or ‘ud (from the Arabic al-‘ud), family. It is recognizable by its longer neck, almost double the length of a classical ‘ud. The ‘ud is one of the most characteristic Middle Eastern musical instruments. Although ‘ud-like instruments were played in the ancient world, they were introduced to Europe through the court of the Umayyad caliphs in Spain during the 9th and 10th centuries. This Turkish version is different from the Arabic version in its shape and withregard to the way it is played. This transformation has been attributed to Manolis Venios, a master Greek luthier who lived in Constantinople (Istanbul).
Provenance Research Ongoing

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Flute
Edward Baack
Flute
c. 1864–1872
Unidentified wood, ivory or bone, and brass
B.2011.25
Piccolo
Firth, Hall & Pond
Piccolo
c. 1833–1847
Unidentified wood, ivory, and metal
B.2011.26
Striker for Slit-drum (tamtam)
Chief Tofor
Striker for Slit-drum (tamtam)
1960–1991
Wood
91.48.B
Drum and Drumstick
Unknown North American
Drum and Drumstick
unknown
Painted wood, leather, cotton
88.164.A,.B
Fife
Unknown American
Fife
c. 1862
Unidentified wood and brass
B.2011.29
Flute
Unknown African
Flute
1850–1970
Bamboo
91.1547
Gong Beater (laure)
Unknown African
Gong Beater (laure)
1850–1970
Wood
91.1512
Rattle
Unknown African
Rattle
1900–1935
Wood
91.1529
Harp Bridge with Human Head
Unknown African
Harp Bridge with Human Head
1900–1940
Wood and metal
91.1484
Scan from photography for Glassell catalog
Unknown African
Horn
1925–1935
Wood, gold leaf, and string
97.1489
Gong Striker with Snake and Bush Cow Head
Unknown African
Gong Striker with Snake and Bush Cow Head
1870–1900
Wood
91.1444
Horn
Unknown African
Horn
1875–1970
Wood and gold leaf
97.1411
Unknown