Gamelan gongs on a stand

Title

Year/Period

c. 1960's

Region

Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Object Type

kempul, gongs

Material

wood (plant material), bronze (metal)

Technique

woodworking, assembling (additive and joining process), woodcarving (process), metalworking

Dimension

Object size: 001: L222.0 x W45.0 x H163.0 cm,
Object size: 002: H16.0 x Dia 45.0 cm,
Object size: 003: H18.0 x Dia 54.0 cm,
Object size: 004: H18.0 x Dia 52.0 cm,
Object size: 005: H20.0 x Dia 44.5 cm

Accession No.

2000-08146

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

These four small gongs on a stand are known as the kempul. The term 'gamelan' refers to the action ('an') of hammering ('gamel') the bronze instruments with beaters. The bronze instruments play the main melody and are accompanied by softer wind, wood and string instruments. Today gamelan music remains an important part of court and village life in Java. Many sets are kept as royal heirlooms (pusaka) and are played at important ceremonies.