Rare fragments of a round tambourine in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Rare fragments of a round tambourine in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:
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Lise Manniche
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Rare fragments of a round tambourine in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Year: 1973 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5176
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This article by Lise Manniche discusses the rare fragments of a round tambourine housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, alongside the scarcity of such instruments from ancient Egypt compared to other musical types. While various musical instruments including clappers and flutes are commonly found, remains of drums and tambourines are much rarer. The research highlights that despite numerous representations of round tambourines throughout ancient Egyptian art, very few actual specimens exist today. The Ashmolean fragments are significant as they offer insight into the artistic and cultural contexts surrounding these instruments.
Symbolism of the Tambourine in Egyptian Culture
One crucial concept presented is the religious and cultural symbolism associated with tambourines in ancient Egypt. The round tambourine appears prominently in contexts related to birth and creation, influenced by the representations of gods and goddesses. The Ashmolean tambourine's decoration includes depictions of figures like Isis, who is connected to birth, and the dwarf figure suggesting protection during childbirth. This portrayal suggests that tambourines held a significant role in rituals celebrating life and divine protection during childbirth. The associations with various deities, particularly those linked to fertility and motherhood, reflect the tambourine's importance beyond mere musical play.
Insights on Tambourine Construction and Design
Another important theme revolves around the construction and design of the tambourines themselves, as described in the article. The Ashmolean tambourine fragments are noted for their sizeable diameter, larger than most found in ancient representations, suggesting a distinctive size and function. Examining the construction methods, it appears that tambourines likely had wooden frames with leather membranes fixed by lacing. The presence of oblong holes in the fragments indicates a specific method of fastening that supports the notion that all tambourines shared similar structural features. This insight into the tambourine's physical attributes allows for a better understanding of its use and significance in various settings.
Conclusion
In summary, the analysis of the Ashmolean Museum's tambourine fragments reveals not only their artistic value but also their rich cultural significance in ancient Egyptian society. The tambourine was more than a musical instrument; it served as a symbol of life and was intricately linked to religious practices surrounding birth and motherhood. Moreover, exploration into their construction and design provides a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in ancient musical instruments. Together, these insights contribute to a fuller understanding of the role of tambourines in the context of ancient Egyptian music and ritual.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What types of ancient Egyptian musical instruments are commonly found?
Common instruments include clappers, sistra, flutes, pipes, and stringed instruments. However, remains of drums and tambourines are much rarer.
What unique fragments are held in the Ashmolean Museum?
The Ashmolean Museum holds rare fragments of two round tambourine membranes, measuring approximately 40 cm in diameter and decorated with intricate designs.
What do the decorations on the tambourine fragments represent?
The decorations depict gods, musicians, and scenes associated with birth, connecting the tambourine's use to ritualistic practices in ancient Egyptian culture.
When were round tambourines popular in ancient Egypt?
Round tambourines gained popularity from the reign of Amenophis III to the Roman period, especially during the Amarna period and Late Period.
How did ancient Egyptians construct their tambourines?
Tambourines were typically constructed with wooden frames and leather membranes, fastened with lacing or other materials like papyrus to ensure durability.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Rare fragments of a round tambourine in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Disc:
In the text, the word 'disc' refers to decorative elements featuring the sun's disc seen on multiple figures, such as gods or deities, sometimes combined with horns or used in a symbolic context.[see source text or glossary: Disc]
2) Leather:
Leather is significant as it is used to create parts of the tambourine, particularly seen in the leather membranes and the lacing methods used to secure the membranes to the frame. The description mentions using leather strings and straps. [see source text or glossary: Leather]
3) Egypt:
The entire study centers around ancient Egyptian musical instruments, particularly tambourines found in various locations like the Ashmolean Museum and the Cairo Museum. The tambourines have historic significance spanning from the New Kingdom to the Roman periods. [see source text or glossary: Egypt]
4) Birth:
The tambourines, especially in the mammisi (birth house of the child-god), are often associated with themes of creation and birth. Figures like Isis are connected with giving life, making birth a central concept. [see source text or glossary: Birth]
5) Frame:
The frame of the tambourine serves to hold the membranes tightly. The Louvre tambourine, for example, has a wooden frame that is essential to its structure, providing durability and shape. [see source text or glossary: Frame]
6) Temple:
Temples are significant as they often feature representations of tambourines in religious contexts. For instance, scenes in the temple of Sethos I at Abydos illustrate the use of tambourines in sacred ceremonies. [see source text or glossary: Temple]
7) Extreme:
The term 'extreme' is used to describe the position of illustrations on the tambourine membranes, such as the extreme right of the scene where specific figures or objects are located. [see source text or glossary: Extreme]
8) Drum:
Drums, like tambourines, are part of ancient Egyptian musical heritage but are much rarer. Several types of drums have been found, including barrel-shaped and rectangular ones. [see source text or glossary: Drum]
9) Horn:
Horns are often part of the headdresses of various goddesses depicted on tambourine membranes, like goddesses adorned with horns and sun's discs in the described decorations. [see source text or glossary: Horn]
10) Festival:
Festivals often feature the use of tambourines. For example, scenes from the festival hall of Osorkon II at Bubastis depict the use of large tambourines. [see source text or glossary: Festival]
11) Dynasty:
The text references specific dynasties, particularly the 19th Dynasty, when discussing the applications and historical context of tambourines, for example, in reliefs and religious scenes. [see source text or glossary: Dynasty]
12) Throne:
Thrones are mentioned as part of the decorative scenes on tambourine membranes, indicating seated gods or goddesses, further emphasizing the instrument's religious connection. [see source text or glossary: Throne]
13) Yellow:
The color yellow is used as part of the decoration on tambourines, such as on leather straps or tambourine outlines, showing the detailed craftsmanship involved. [see source text or glossary: Yellow]
14) Dress:
Several female figures on the tambourine membranes are described as wearing distinctive dresses, like short aprons and headdresses akin to Anukis or Bes, contributing to the scene's authenticity. [see source text or glossary: Dress]
15) Crown:
Crowns, such as those worn by gods like Osiris, are part of the detailed decorations seen on tambourine membranes, symbolizing divine authority and relevance. [see source text or glossary: Crown]
16) Dwarf:
Dwarfs play a role in religious themes associated with tambourines. For example, one Cairo tambourine features a dwarf figure, possibly representing Bes, protector of childbirth.[see source text or glossary: Dwarf]
17) Woman (Women):
Groups of women playing tambourines or dancing are frequent in the decorations, particularly in religious settings or birth-related scenes, emphasizing their collective cultural importance. [see source text or glossary: Women]
18) Green:
The color green is part of the decorative palette used on tambourine membranes, often combined with red and black to create floral or other intricate designs.[see source text or glossary: Green]
19) Bird:
Birds are depicted in various decorative scenes on tambourine membranes, like falcons with outstretched wings or birds squeezed into corners, contributing to the overall symbolic themes.[see source text or glossary: Bird]
20) Wing:
Wings appear in the decorations of gods or goddesses on tambourine membranes, emphasizing their divine and protective qualities, such as the winged disc above groups of deities.[see source text or glossary: Wing]
21) Musical instrument:
The tambourine is the primary musical instrument discussed, with a focus on its historical and cultural significance in ancient Egypt, including its construction, decoration, and usage.[see source text or glossary: Musical instrument]
22) Strengthening:
Techniques for strengthening tambourine membranes include using strips of papyrus or leather around the edges, helping to secure the lacing and improve durability.[see source text or glossary: Strengthening]
23) Cemetery:
The Ptolemaic period tambourine membranes from the Cairo Museum were discovered in a Ptolemaic cemetery at Akhmim, suggesting their funerary or ceremonial significance.[see source text or glossary: Cemetery]
24) Painting:
Paintings on the tambourines include intricate scenes with multi-colored designs, such as floral borders and godly figures, revealing artistic aspects of these musical instruments.[see source text or glossary: Painting]
25) Musician:
Musician depictions often involve gods and goddesses playing tambourines, highlighting their role in religious rituals and their importance to ancient Egyptian culture.[see source text or glossary: Musician]
26) Devotion (Devoted):
Certain tambourines are devoted entirely to specific gods, such as one Cairo tambourine dedicated to Isis, reinforcing the religious and ceremonial use of the instrument.[see source text or glossary: Devoted]
27) Vulture:
The vulture is part of the iconography, often adorning the headdresses of deities, symbolizing protection and divinity, as seen in the description of goddesses on tambourine membranes.[see source text or glossary: Vulture]
28) Flower:
Flowers are a recurring motif in the decorative elements on tambourine membranes, seen in the depicted stands decorated with plants, highlighting nature's role in Egyptian symbolic art.[see source text or glossary: Flower]
29) Heaven:
Heaven is referenced in connection with deities like Isis, who is described as the 'mistress of heaven,' indicating the divine and celestial aspects of the scenes on tambourines.[see source text or glossary: Heaven]
30) Colour (Color):
Various colors like red, green, black, yellow, and blue are used in the intricate decorations of tambourine membranes, showcasing the vibrant artistic traditions of ancient Egypt.[see source text or glossary: Colour]
31) Breath:
The god Thoth is mentioned as aiding in restoring the breath of Osiris, connecting breath with the themes of life, death, and rebirth prevalent in the tambourine scenes.[see source text or glossary: Breath]
32) Flute:
Flutes, along with other musical instruments like clappers and stringed instruments, are mentioned as common finds in museums, contrasting the rarity of tambourine remains.[see source text or glossary: Flute]
33) Roman (Roma):
The continued use of tambourines into the Roman period indicates the long-lasting significance of these instruments in Egyptian culture and beyond.[see source text or glossary: Roman]
34) Doubt:
There is some doubt about the exact period of the Ashmolean tambourine, with suggestions ranging from the New Kingdom to later dates, showing the challenges in dating such artifacts.[see source text or glossary: Doubt]
35) White:
White is used in the decoration of tambourines, such as a tambourine played by a Bes figure, which is described as white with red decorative elements, highlighting artistic detail.[see source text or glossary: White]
36) Black:
Black is one of the primary colors used in the intricate designs painted on tambourine membranes, adding to their visual richness and cultural symbolism.[see source text or glossary: Black]
37) Child (Children):
The tambourines are frequently used in the mammisi, or birth house of the child-god, associating the instrument with themes of birth and childhood within religious contexts.[see source text or glossary: Child]
38) Space:
Spaces on the tambourine membranes often include small figures filling the available area, contributing to the overall crowded and detailed decorative style of these artifacts.[see source text or glossary: Space]
39) Human:
The tambourines are noted to be approximately the size of a human head, indicating the relative scale and design considerations of these ancient musical instruments.[see source text or glossary: Human]
40) Horu:
Horus, as the child of Isis, is inherently connected to the tambourines' birth themes, reflecting the gods' roles in the depicted religious narratives.[see source text or glossary: Horu]
41) King:
Kings and other high-status figures would have been patrons or beneficiaries of the musical and religious rites involving tambourines, as seen in various temple and tomb scenes.[see source text or glossary: King]
42) Blue:
Blue is mentioned as part of the tambourine's decorative elements, specifically in one scene where the tambourines are red with blue outlines, showcasing color use in ancient Egyptian art.[see source text or glossary: Blue]
43) Mind:
The concept of mind is indirectly referenced concerning the people's belief systems and how they associated deities like Bes and Isis with protective and life-giving roles in their ceremonies.[see source text or glossary: Mind]