This intricately carved instrument is similar in shape to a violin, but is played vertically, like many other string instruments found throughout Asia. The design of this tro demonstrates an influence of Western design on a traditional Burmese instrument.A wooden vertical fiddle, overall shape resembling European violin; 3 gut strings. Possibly the ‘Indian violin’ purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from Dowells & Lyon at sale at 22 India Street, 30 October 1856 for 5/ .
Fiddle
Myanmar (Burma)
Asia

Instrument Information

Title

Tayaw (Box fiddle)

Alternative Title

Thro; Tro

Accession Number

0440

Collection

MIMEd; Reid Collection

Date Information

Date Made

Pre 1872; Probably before 1872

Gallery Information

Gallery

Laigh Room

Case

Traditional instruments display

Maker Information

No information recorded.

Made In

Country

Myanmar (Burma)

Description

Technical Description

A wooden vertical fiddle, overall shape resembling European violin; maximum width 223mm, body depth 50mm; with carved `tail-pin'; 3 gut strings. A modern version of the older instrument. Decoration: Roughly carved scroll and leaf patterns at head and base of neck, similar to those on (1062).

Provenance

possibly the `Indian violin' purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from Dowells & Lyon at sale at 22 India Street, 30 October 1856 for 5/-.

Classification

Instrument

Fiddle

Instrument Family

Strings

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

321.322-7; musical instrument