Partially Restored Oblique Lyre

Art Historical Context

Step back over 3,500 years to the early New Kingdom of ancient Egypt, during Dynasty 18 (ca. 1550–1458 B.C.), a time of imperial expansion under pharaohs like Thutmose III. This Restored Oblique Ly, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art collection, exemplifies the sophisticated musical culture of the era. Lyres were prestigious stringed instruments, often played at royal banquets, temple rituals, and festivals, symbolizing harmony and divine order. Crafted with a wooden frame for the soundbox and arms, accented by bronze or copper alloy staples and bronze fittings, the lyre's oblique design—slanted arms connecting to a tapered soundbox—reflects innovative Egyptian woodworking and metalworking techniques. Measuring about 44 cm along its longer side from crossbar to base, it would have produced resonant tones with strings stretched across its 31.3 cm yoke. Though partially restored, surviving elements reveal the instrument's delicate construction, highlighting artisans' skill in balancing form and acoustics. As a rare survivor from this golden age, the lyre offers a window into Egypt's vibrant soundscape, where music bridged the mortal and divine. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1916, it invites us to imagine its melodies echoing through Theban palaces.