Identify this musical instrument?

July 16, 2012 10:33 PM

Just what is this flat, neckless 4-stringed musical instument?

Here is an album of pictures. I found this at an antique store the other day and was curious about it! It's about a foot and a half tall, and two inches thick. A bow was included, but I don't think it belonged there. Can anyone tell me what it is (and if by any chance it's worth the $275 on the tag)?

posted by jinjo to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

An Appalachian dulcimer?
posted by pompomtom at 10:41 PM on July 16, 2012

If the bow doesn't go with it, why is the case so much longer than the instrument?
posted by mr_roboto at 11:16 PM on July 16, 2012

Best answer: It's a bowed zither.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:17 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

A little more about the bowed zither here.
posted by flug at 1:12 AM on July 17, 2012

Response by poster: And so it is! Thanks, mr_roboto. (The bow just didn't look like it matched, and the rest of the space did have that little compartment in it.)
posted by jinjo at 5:39 AM on July 17, 2012