Turkey 
Turkish

Metal
Late 19th-Early 20th century
Length: 15.5 inches
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Concussion

The Ottoman Turkish zilli masa (clapper) is in the shape of a tong with six branches (three on each arm of the tong) and a cymbal-like (disc) attachment on the end of each of the branches.  The term masa means ‘tongs’ in Turkish, and zilli means cymbals. Tong cymbals called crotal date much earlier and were found in ancient Israel and Egypt.  The Turkish zilli masa may have been invented in the early 19^th century.   It is played by holding the instrument in the right hand and then striking it against the palm of the left hand.  When the arms close, the discs beat each other to produce the sound.   It is usually played only by men in small ensembles accompanying dance and song.

Resources:  “Zilli masa.” L. Pickens: “Folk Musical Instruments of Turkey”(London, 1975) – “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments” 2^nd ed. Vol. 5. Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press.