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Sound board of a lyra made from a tortoise shell, reinforced with an iron rod, with an iron tailpiece.The lyre consisted of a sound board (ekéion) made from a hollowed-out tortoise shell or a similarly shaped wooden or ivory chest, over which a cowhide was stretched. Two slightly curved wooden arms (pécheis) were mounted on the case and connected at the top by a crossbar made of bone or ivory called the yoke (zygòn). The strings were connected to the tailpiece (chordòtonon) at the bottom of the sound board via a bridge (magàs) and to the yoke by pegs (kòllopes). The instrument’s reduced sound range made it suitable for accompanying singers in schools and at banquets.

Details

  • Title: Sound board of a lyra
  • Date Created: 5th century BC
  • Location Created: Taranto, via Otranto, 1939
  • Physical Dimensions: 16 cm (height); 13 cm (width)
  • Medium: Bone, iron
  • Room: Room VII, showcase 92, 10.3-10.4

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