Drum (tombak) decorated with khatam-kari, Iran, Qajar period, 1850-76

Circular shape that stands upon a cylindrical base with a flared foot rim. The entire exterior of the drum is decorated in fine micro-mosaic patterning, a technique known in Persian as ‘khatamkari’. The mosaics decroate the the instrument in horizontal bands of varying width, alternating in geometirc patterns consisting of stars, squares, and triangles. Encircling the centre of the top portion is a wide band of alternating diamonds and hexagons against a dense background of fine rosettes. The top of the drum is covered with a skin hide, with the bottom of the instrument hollowed out, and left uncovered so as to allow the vibrations and sound to reveberate thorughout the insturment.

This object was purchased from Major Murdoch Smith for £3, 10 shillings, and had previously been part of the Richard Collection. Over the course of 1875, Robert Murdoch Smith (the Museum's agent in Iran) negotiated his first major purchase from Jules Richard, a French art-dealer living in Tehran. This consignment was considerable, with valuable artworks in many media: ceramics, metalwork, woodwork, oil paintings, manuscripts and carved stone. Towards the end of the negotiation, Richard added a further list of objects, many of which were given to the museum for free.

778-1876