Carved Wooden Hommel (Flemish Dulcimer), Belgium, 1970s This elongated carved wooden string instrument is a hommel, also known as the Flemish dulcimer, a traditional folk instrument associated with Belgian vernacular music. Its construction clearly distinguishes between melody strings running over a fretted section and open drone strings intended to sound continuously. The form reflects a functional musical object made for sustained accompaniment rather than decorative display. The narrow soundbox, integrated fretboard, and longitudinal string layout correspond to hommels produced in Belgium during the 20th century following traditional construction principles. The instrument is designed to be played horizontally, with the melody strings stopped using the fingers or a small stick and plucked with a plectrum, while the drone strings provide a continuous tonal foundation. Year of manufacture 1970s Style and use Traditional Belgian folk string instrument Hommel (Flemish dulcimer) Used for simple melodic lines over sustained drone accompaniment in domestic and informal music settings Materials Solid carved hardwood body Inset wooden fretboard Wooden tuning pegs Metal strings Condition Good vintage condition consistent with age Surface wear and light handling marks present No visible structural cracks Traditional construction and string layout preserved Basis for value Value is supported by clear identification as a Belgian hommel produced using traditional design rather than industrial zither construction. During the 1970s, such instruments were often made in small workshops or by individual makers for folk music practice and revival contexts. The intact separation of melody and drone strings, original fretboard, and solid carved body support its collectability among folk instrument collectors and players. Context of production In Belgium during the 1970s, renewed interest in regional folk music led to the continued production of traditional instruments such as the hommel. This example reflects that context, combining established historical design with mid-20th-century craftsmanship, produced outside mass industrial manufacture. Dimensions Width: 11.5 cm Height: 70 cm Depth: 7 cm