Lirica
unknown place, the 2nd half of the 19th century

wood
cutting, turning, drilling

 

length = 38,3 cm
body width = 12 cm
length of the neck = 20,8 cm
length from the first peg to the bottom of the instrument = 31 cm

Et 13385
The Collection of Musical Instruments

Description

The lijerica, a small lute-like chordophone. Its body and neck are crafted from one block of wood, and its soundboard (the board which covers the resonance box) is crafted from another block of wood. Three peg holes (“čivija”) are drilled on the neck. Two pegs are missing. A cord is attached to the third one, thus representing a string. The strings were usually made of horsehair. The neck with the holes is heart-shaped. There is no bridge.

Note

The lijerica is played to accompany dances. The lijeričar, lijerica player, is sitting down when he is playing and he is stomping his feet at the same time. The dancer who was the ringleader yelled out commands in the form of funny, often ambiguous verses, which the dancers had to obey and change their dances accordingly.