Kemenche (fingerboard detail)

The master luthier (a maker of lutes and other stringed instruments) who created this kemenche rendered birds, scrolling foliage, and stars along the head, edges and back of this instrument, using ivory set in tortoiseshell with a gold leaf backing. He carved the tuning keys from ivory and capped them with ebony buttons. Such fine and elaborate decoration hint that this was an instrument intended to be played at court or for members of the wealthy class.