Tubri
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Gourd, wood, reeds
Dimensions
L. 17.1 cm (6-3/4 in.); 7.6 cm (D. 3 in.)
Classification
Aerophone-Reed Vibrated-single reed cylindrical
Culture
Indian
Department
Musical Instruments
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Accession Number
89.4.179
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's renowned Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments acquired in 1889 the *Tubri* is a 19th-century aerophone from India. Crafted from humble yet resonant materials—gourd, wood, and reeds—this single-reed cylindrical instrument measures a compact 17.1 cm in length and 7.6 cm in diameter, making it perfectly suited for intimate performances or travel. Its classification as a reed-vibrated aerophone highlights a traditional design where a single vibrating reed produces a distinctive, nasal timbre, evoking the soulful sounds of Indian folk traditions...