Vintage Slenthem Gamelan Metallophone

Description

Vinage set of six bronze keys slenthem. An Indonesian metallophone used inperforming
in Javanese gamelan orchestra. The keys are suspended by red cords over individual tube resonators in beautiful hand carved wood stand. A temple gamelan rochestra quality piece and only one piece like this available.

The slenthem (also slentem or gender panembung) is part of the gendér family. It consists of a set of bronze keys comprising a single octave: there are six keys when playing the slendro scale and seven when playing the pelog. These keys are cut so that the placement of the bamboo’s node causes the functional length of the resonator to be shorter for higher notes. The instrument is played by striking the keys with a mallet, called a tabuh, which has a short handle and a thin wooden disk edged in cloth or rubber. One hand is left free to dampen notes. It is a low-pitched instrument with a softer sound than the saron demung.

Like the saron barung and demung, it generally plays the most basic form of the melody (balungan) in a composition. However it also sometimes uses techniques similar to the saron to elaborate. It is especially favored in quieter gamelan ensembles (such as Gamelan Gadhon); but it is a part of standard Gamelan Gedhé as the only soft-style instrument also played in loud-style pieces.

It is typically placed among the instruments at the front of the performing area.

Dimensions: 16″ x 34″ x 17.5″

Vintage piece. Sell in used, pre-owned condition. Vintage and antique items by nature have variable amounts of wear, imperfections, signs of use, age and time. Perfectly imperfect. Condition shown as in pictures. Kindly contact us if you need more info. or detail pictures.

Due to the size and/or the delicate situation of the item. Please contact us for more detail information /pick up or shipping options.

* The last two museum gamelan slenthem metallophone pictures refer from links below:

MFABoston    https://collections.mfa.org/objects/51343

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/51345