The journeys of ouds

We think the oldest surviving ouds are in Europe, preserved as a result of French, Belgian and English research and collecting. Their journeys shadow the routes of imperialist acquisition. But ouds have long been associated with journeys. And as time moves on towards the end of the 19th century, others ouds reveal the travels of musicians…

Ottoman oud histories

This beautiful postcard invites us to think afresh about the history of the oud. Two elegantly dressed women look out at us, holding their instruments and their plectra. Beside them is a boy in a top hat, who stands on a footstool to reach the right height. In the background and at the edge of…