The Daira is a type of drum or tambourine, sometimes fitted with bells or small cymbals and widely used in Turkey, the Caucasus and South Eastern Europe, to accompany singing and dancing. They are held with the index finger and thumb of the left hand and struck with fingers, palm or fist of the right hand. The <i>Daira</i> is usually formed from a wooden hoop but this example is made of tortoise shell inlaid with mother of pearl. It was almost certainly intended as an international exhibition piece rather than a working musical instrument.