Zurna
Unknown Artist
late 19th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
L. ±12 15/16 × Diam. ±1 1/8 - ±2 5/16 in. (±32.8 × ±2.8 - ±5.9 cm)
Classification
Aerophone-Reed Vibrated-double reed
Culture
Turkish
Department
Musical Instruments
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Accession Number
89.4.1530
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments this late 19th-century zurna exemplifies Turkish musical artistry crafted from wood. Measuring about 13 inches in length with a tapering diameter from 1⅛ to 2⅜ inches, this aerophone features a double-reed mechanism that produces its signature piercing, powerful sound. As a wind instrument vibrated by reeds, it showcases the intricate woodworking techniques of Ottoman-era craftsmen, who shaped its conical bore and flared bell for optimal projection. The zurna holds deep cultural importance in Turkish tr...