Double Zither 18th century

Editor: This is the “Double Zither,” an 18th-century piece housed at the Met. What strikes me is its dual nature, almost like two distinct voices joined together. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The duality is quite compelling, isn't it? I'm drawn to the potential symbolic resonance of the doubled form. In many cultures, paired objects signify harmony, balance, or even a conversation between two entities. It invites us to consider: what story do these two voices tell together? Perhaps it's a dialogue between the earthly and the divine, or a representation of contrasting aspects within the human soul. Notice the ornate carvings on one side; do they spark any thoughts for you? Editor: They give a slightly elevated status, like maybe one side is meant to play melodies, and the other one, something simpler? Almost like it reflects two tiers of society or contrasting voices as you said. Curator: Exactly. These deliberate aesthetic choices aren’t accidental; they invite exploration into the values of the culture that produced it. Consider also how music itself functions as a symbol. Is it possible this instrument played ceremonial music for a specific event? Its presence also hints at a time when craftsmanship was highly valued and music an integral part of everyday life, reflecting community memory through the creation and the usage of instruments. Editor: So much to unpack. I hadn't considered the instrument itself as a historical record of musical taste and craftsmanship. It sounds so simple once you explain it. Curator: Precisely. It also is a reminder of shared experiences and cultural memory, communicated via symbols crafted into being and into tone, passed from person to person. Editor: Thank you; it makes you wonder about the other symbols of that era, if we could only hear the music that was meant to be played with it!