Zither
Object No. 2007/12/1
The Museum's collection contains a number of zithers, mainly of German origin but this instrument is the first Lithuanian instrument to enter the collection and is a very different in shape and design from the heavily lacquered German zithers. However, the Kankles has greater parallels to zithers from Finland, Latvia and Estonia. Traditionally the Kankles was used to play folk melodies and to accompany folk songs and dances but it was also possibly used in rituals. Several types of Kankles exist based on both region and use and this instrument appears to be a northwestern type. The instrument is also significant as it was highly prized by the donor when a refugee after World War Two and helps to illustrate stories of relocation from traditional homelands and eventual migration to Australia.
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Kankles or zither, with timber body and [spruce] soundboard, wood / metal, made by Puisys, Jurbarkas, Lithuania, 1930-1945, used by Izidorius Giedraitis in Lithuania and Australia
Physical Description
Kankles or zither, with timber body and [spruce] soundboard, wood / metal, made by Puisys, Jurbarkas, Lithuania, 1930-1945, used by Izidorius Giedraitis in Lithuania and Australia Series of 14 pairs of metal strings stretched over the body. Red stencilled circular decoration on soundboard around sound hole rose with cut petal-like decoration. Angled bridges each end of instrument. Carved horn shaped scroll protrudes from the larger bridge. Two red stencilled strips on soundboard at narrower end of instrument near small bridge. Includes T-shaped tuning hammer with wooden handle and metal stem.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Made by the kankles maker Puisys in the town of Jurbarkas, Lithuania. The donor noted that the maker lived next to a tiny river called the Imsre with his two sisters who wove floor runners from rag strips, which was a very popular floor covering, especially in Northern Europe. The maker also made looms and weaving necessities.
HISTORY
Notes
Used by the donor and taken with her to Australia as a refugee after leaving Lithuania. The instrument was made for the donor's uncle (her father's brother), Izidorius Giedraitis and then given to the donor. There were apparently two instruments made and the uncle kept the smaller instrument. The donor also noted that her father, Antana Gedraitis (b.1891) was a Primary School Inspector in the district of Reseiniai and also wrote signing his name as Antanas Giedrius-Giedraitis. He was for a time the Director of Vasaris 16 Lithuanian High School in Germany. He migrated to the USA and died there in 1973 or 1975.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Danute I Giedraityte, 2007
Acquisition Date
23 January 2007
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry