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Instrument, Stringed

Object number2004.93.8 a,b

Date1926-1932

MediumWood; Animal hair; Leather; Paint

Credit LineGift of Serb National Federation

DescriptionLight-colored wood gusle and bow. Gulsa is highly decorated with painted and carved images of Serbian royalty, and animal hair strings. Dimensionsa: 13.0 width; 31.125 length
b: 12.25 length; 22.5 width
Label TextThe tradition of the gusle and guslar remain important in the Serbian culture. The gusle, a one-stringed instrument, was played in a traveling minstrel-like setting by the guslar. The guslar played the notes from memory and the subject involved some aspect of Serbian history. The guslar was always a man who roamed from village to village recounting the history of the people. The gusle and gudalo (the bow) were crafted by Marko Vukcevic, a shoemaker in Kosovo, between 1926 and 1932 with his shoemaking tools. The instrument is elaborately carved maple with images of Serbian rulers and history. Vukcevic intended to present the instrument to Yugoslavian King Alexander. However, the king was assassinated before the presentation could take place

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