Gamelan gongs on a stand

Title

Year/Period

c. 1960

Region

Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Object Type

gamelan instruments, musical accessories, kempul, gongs

Material

bronze (metal), wood (plant material), cord (fiber product)

Technique

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

Dimension

Object size: 001: L218.0 x W46.0 x H164.0 cm,
Object size: 002: H16.5 x Dia 43.0 cm,
Object size: 003: H16.0 x Dia 41.0 cm,
Object size: 004: H15.0 x Dia 46.0 cm

Accession No.

2000-08147

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

These three small gongs on a stand are known as the kempul. The term 'gamelan' refers to the action ('an') of hammering ('gamel') bronze instruments such as gongs and drums among several other types of 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.