67
OUD
Oud is another ancient stringed instrument with sound produced by plucking. According to Sharafaddiin Abdulmomin Urmavi,
a recognized expert in music of the 13th century, oud was originally invented by one of the descendants of Muhammad the Prophet.
This is far not the only version trying to explain the instrument’s origin. This way or another, in the Middle Ages, oud was among the
major instruments of the higher society, hence it was oftentimes portrayed and praised in poetry and art. Throughout centuries of its
existence, the instrument had undergone a significant evolution, towards its present-day shape with 11 strings. The body part made of
sandalwood, walnut and pear-tree is very labor-intensive, whereas other parts consist of numerous particles, some of them
crafted of pine-tree.
Stringed Instruments
Private collection, 1st half of the 20th century