Mongolia
Mongol people

Birch, spruce, horsehair, pigment
Mid 20th century
Length: 41 in, Width: 11 in, Depth: 4.25 in
Chordophones – Lutes

The morin khuur, a bowed spike lute, is one of the most important musical instruments of the Mongol people, and is considered a symbol of the Mongolian nation.  It is one of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” identified by UNESCO.  This Mongolian fiddle has a wood body and neck with 2 horse hair strings. The top of the neck is carved into a horse head shape with a white strip on the face, and the 2 wooden pegs are engraved. The body is a trapezoidal box shape with lacquered wood. The fretboard is stained a darker color than the rest of the instrument, and the two bowed strings rest on two bridges, one at the top of the neck and one on the sounding resonator box.