The cornstalk fiddle and the bow
Petrovo Selo, the 2nd half of the 19th century
cornstalk
splitting, cutting
lenght of the cornstalk fiddle = 27,8 cm
lenght of the bow = 28,8 cm
ES 92ab
The Collection of Musical Instruments
The cornstalk fiddle and the bow are crafted from husk which was peeled off, split, and cut. The part which imitates the strings is supported by small pieces of husk on both end. The fiddle and the bow are made in the same fashion, but they differ in size - the bow is somewhat smaller.
The small fiddle was usually made as a children’s instrument. Adults made them or they helped children to craft them.
