The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Vielle à Roue (Hurdy-Gurdy)

Vielle à Roue (Hurdy-Gurdy)

1865–70
(French, 1808–1884)
France
Wood; mother-of-pearl inlay
Gift of Clara Taplin Rankin 2020.422
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

This vielle à roue was made in the French village of Jenzat, which was the manufacturing center for hurdy-gurdies during the 19th century.

Description

In France, the hurdy-gurdy is known as the vielle à roue (wheel fiddle). This six-stringed musical instrument produces sound by a hand crank-turned wheel that rubs against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes sound similar to those of a violin. Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses small wedges against the strings to change their pitch.
  • 1954
    Clara Taplin Rankin, Paris, France, by purchase
    1954–2020
    Clara Taplin Rankin, Chagrin Falls, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2020–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Vielle à Roue (Hurdy-Gurdy)|url=false|author=Jacques Decante|year=1865–70|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2020.422