Musical instrument (hasapi)

The Batak developed a distinctive two-stringed musical instrument (hasapi), generally referred to as a lute. Hasapi usually have a seated figure as a terminal, here wearing an elaborate turban, and also a projection beneath the resonating chamber, which in this case takes the form of an inverted face.

The instrument is carved from a single piece of wood except for the sound board, which is a replacement for the original. The back of the resonating chamber has an oval aperture and both ends of the neck have pierced scrolls which were formerly linked by a chain or cord. The two holes beneath the figure are for string-tightening pegs.

Steven Hooper, 1997

Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) pp. 84-85.