Setar 1800 - 1900

This is a Setar, crafted by Hāj Tāher. The Setar's elegant form consists of an elongated neck and a teardrop-shaped body. The smooth, polished wood is uninterrupted save for the tuning pegs and delicate frets. Its visual simplicity invites a deeper consideration of its cultural role as a carrier of melody and tradition. The instrument’s design embodies a symbolic language of sound. Each curve and line seems deliberately shaped to resonate with both the player and the listener. The linear progression of frets along the neck, and the resonating chamber of the rounded body, invite reflection on how music mediates cultural memory. Its very form encourages a contemplation of music's role in shaping individual and collective identities.