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Artifact

Persian Tar

Description

  • Stringed instrument with a long neck and double-bowl with waist.  

  • Double bowl is carved from mulberry wood, and a thin membrane made from stretched lambskin was applied to cover the opening. 

  • A double course of strings would have been laid across the neck. 

  • The neck, or fingerboard, appears to be made of two long pieces of ivory imbedded in the wood of the neck. 

  • Frets are made of tightly wrapped string. There would originally have been between 25 and 28, and they were adjustable. 

Background Information

  • The tar is a musical instrument found in Iran and other areas of the Causasus region of the Middle East. 

  • The word tar in the Persian language, when translated literally, means "strings". 

  • Purchased as a memento by E.A. Koyden. 

Map Location

Latitude: 35° 41' 13.114" N
Longitude: 51° 24' 12.989" E

Date

Unknown

Dimensions

inches
Length:
35.0
Width:
9.0
Height:
7.0

Events, Places, People

  • E.A. Koyden

  • Iran

Originating Location

Asia›Iran

Subject

  • Full view of the Persian tar. It has a long neck and double bowl with a waist. There are turning keys at the top of the neck and strings that run down to the double-bowl.
  • Top of the waisted double-bowl made of smooth wood. The membrane coverings have been ripped.
  • Front of the waisted double-bowl, showing a bridge. The membranes covering the bowls has ripped.
  • Side of the waisted double-bowl. The two bowls can be seen and are made out of smooth wood.
  • Head of the Persian tar with six wooden turning pegs.
  • Side of the head of the Persian tar. Three of the turning pegs are visible, and there is a hole through the head between the three pegs.

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