Padauk wood, sha wood, deerskin, lacquer, paint, silk strings, tuning cords of red cotton

Harp

Myanmar

Southern Burma - Southeast Asia
Burma

Padauk wood, sha wood, deerskin, lacquer, paint, silk strings, tuning cords of red cotton
Mid-20th century

Height: 33 inches w/stand; Length: 81 cm (31 7/8 inch); Width: 16cm (6 5/16 inches)

The Saùng-gauk (Arched Harp) is the national instrument of Burma (officially the Union of Myanmar), and is revered as a sacred power receptacle of elegant beauty. It is played for the courts of the Burmese royality and rituals are offered periodically to feed the believed Burmese “Nats” that dwell within it. [The worship of “Nats” (spirits of the trees, rivers, rocks and ancestors) preceded Buddhism in Burma, and is still practiced today, along with Buddhism.] The construction is unique with its boat-shaped resonator, traditionally made of padauk wood. The graceful curved neck comes from the natural shape of the root (gauk) of the sha tree. Sixteen hand-twisted silk strings are attached with red cotton tuning cords that terminate in large tassels. The harp is decorated with gold gilt, bits of mirrored glass, and red and black lacquered paint. The top of the resonator is covered in deer skin and has four sound holes. Provenance: Alan Suits Coyote's Paw Gallery

Owner:
Catalog#: HWMC

Clark, Mitchell. "Sounds of the Silk Road: Musical Instruments of Asia." Boston: MFA Publications, 2005