Two fiddles "gusle" ·  East Europe - Serbia / Herzegowina · ID: 3051263

Description

wood, animal skin,

a) “gusle” with bow, dated 1884", handwritten graphite inscription on the reverse “…Herzegovina…” (illegible), h: 66 cm; l: 52 cm (bow)
b) “gusle”, decorated with metal rosettes and inlaid with white miniature glass beads, cover dam., l: 76 cm

The “gusle” is a Serbian string instrument with only one string (from twisted horsehair). It has a wooden sound box that is cut from one piece and is covered with goat skin. The instrument is held upright between the knees.

Comparing literature

Steinsiek, Irmelis, Musikinstrumente der Welt, Gütersloh 1981, p. 206, ill. 6