Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1985.003 |
Object Name |
Dulcimer |
Description |
This dulcimer was made by James Garland and based on style and measurements of similar instruments made by his father, T.N. Garland. The body of the dulcimer is made of a gourd, likely a dipper gourd. Gourd decoration is an ancient tradition in Africa and Asia as well as among the indigenous peoples of the Americas including Peruvians, Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo nations of the American Southwest, and the Nuxálk and Haida nations of British Columbia. Gourd crafting and painting evolved from early hand carvings to the modern day use of electric wood burners and high-speed pen-shaped rotary tools that can be used to inscribe designs only limited to the artists' imagination. The American Gourd Society, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Kokomo, Indiana, was founded in 1937 and publishes its own magazine. The AGS is dedicated to the education and instruction of those interested in gourd history, cultivation, painting, crafts, and participating in competitions. Gourd art shows and festivals occur in many places throughout North America, the oldest running festival was founded in North Carolina in 1942. Gourd art is often considered a craft, but has been featured in a number of galleries and magazines and exhibited at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. There are at least two dozen gourd chapters in the United States. The following biographical excerpt was submitted by a Reece Museum volunteer in October 2024: "James Hartsell Garland (1941-2018) of Elizabethton, Tennessee was a gifted storyteller, musician and craftsman. He was well-known for his music and dulcimer making. One of Garland's goals in life was to preserve traditional Appalachian music by carrying on traditions from his father, T.N. Garland, a crafter of gourd dulcimers for 35 years. He shared his love of music and instruments, including the dulcimer and autoharp. After a long career at Eastman Chemical, this Vietnam combat veteran devoted time to handcrafting his five-string gourd dulcimers. His instruments were comprised of home-grown gourds with fret boards of wood construction. The preferred gourd was the dipper gourd which features an elongated neck and a bulblike base at the blossom end. According to Garland in a video (date unknown) posted at Tetrick Funeral Home along with his obituary in 2018, gourds are harvested in October and cure in approximately six months at which time they're ready to use. This video indicated Garland crafted 86 gourd dulcimers and sold all but a dozen. His dulcimers typically took at least 20 hours to complete while detailed ones could take up to 40 hours. Garland made other instruments including maracas, drums and a bass, and had ventured into other novelty gourd items. One of Garland's joys was teaching youngsters about Appalachian music. Through his teaching and public appearances, he influenced regional musicians a great deal." |
Date |
ca. 1980 |
Artist |
James H. Garland |
Dimensions |
H-123.5 L-20 Dia-21 cm |
Place of Origin |
USA |
Material |
gourd, metal, steel, wood, linden wood |
Subjects |
music |
Search Terms |
Appalachia Homemade Musical Instrument |