What is it?

A hurdy-gurdy is a type of string instrument which uses a turning wheel instead of a bow to vibrate a set of strings. The player turns the wheel using a crank on the side of the instrument. With the other hand, the player pushes keys to play different notes. Hurdy-gurdies make a unique sound due in part to the 'drone strings'. These strings produce a constant hum similar to the low-pitched drone of the bagpipe. Hurdy-gurdies also have a 'buzzing bridge' which adds a percussive quality to the instrument.

The origins of the hurdy-gurdy date back to the Middle Ages. A similar instrument called the organistrum appeared in Europe before the 1100s. It was a large instrument and, unlike a modern hurdy-gurdy, it took two people to play it! One person turned the crank to spin the wheel while another person pulled up the keys to play the notes.

Does anyone use them now?

Hurdy gurdies are still manufactured and played today. Musicians playing both folk and modern music sometimes use hurdy-gurdies.

Where did this one come from?

This hurdy-gurdy dates from the late 1700s and was donated to The Herbert in 1947. It is part of the Brazil Collection, a large and varied collection of objects donated to the museum by Amy Brazil, sister of author Angela Brazil.