The Reflection of Çeng on Seljuk Ceramics

Abstract

Historical musicology uses every kind of materials which have information on the past as well as manuscript resources. Not only pictures, sculptures, architectural elements which belong to the period investigated, but also ceramics and ceramics decors are included in fi eld of historical musicology. Speaking of destruction of various works and manuscripts of Great Seljuq's, these ceramics have utmost importance. Çeng playing is not common in these days but we can see it in Turkish music history from before Christ periods. This research, based on investigation on museums and collections in all the world, have been detected Seljuq ceramics which have çeng instrument and have been investigated and evaluated this instruments structure, features, playing areas and musicians. As a result of the studies, it has been determined that the çeng was an angular and open type instrument with inlaid boat and diff erent types of tuning pegs in Seljuq period. It has been found that the çeng was extremely popular in the period studied and often performed by women. It has been found that in the entertainment scenes in which the monarch was also present, it was played alone or with other instruments such as oud, tef, mostly by women.