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Musical Instruments
World Cultures ➔ Kokle
Identifier:
188686Description:
The kokle is a Latvian plucked string instrument similar to a zither with a hollow trapezoidal body and an ornately carved soundboard. The strings fan out from a metal rod on one end to tuning pegs on the other.This kokle was made by Fricis Ritums who immigrated to the United States in 1950. Once settled in Michigan, he handcrafted over 140 kokle in the late 1960s and sold them to local community members. His wife kept a list of every individual he sold one to and the donor was 4th or 5th on that list.
Date:
circa 1970Materials:
WoodDimensions:
26" h 9" w 3" dCurrent Location Status:
On ExhibitCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift of Teresa ValdmanisExhibit/Program:
M is for Musical Instruments (after 2003)Related Entities:
Teresa Valdmanis (donor) Fricis Ritums (creator)Fricis Ritums was born in 1906 in Latvia and immigrated to the United States in 1950. He settled in Michigan and passed away in 1978.
While in Michigan, Ritums handcrafted over 140 kokle, a Latvian plucked string instrument similar to a zither, and sold them to others in the community.