Unique Artifacts
to cherish for a lifetime

DAHARE BENDIR (with bronze cymbals and a tuning system), including a high-end GigBag

260.00 320.00 

“In the rhythm of music, a secret is hidden.” — Rumi

This is a premium musical instrument known as Dahare, a type of bendir with small bronze cymbals (called ζίλιες in Greek) that are forged to produce complementary sounds. Today, Dahare-style frame drums are widely used in the Northern part of Greece (in Makedonia and Thrace), while in the past, they played a key role in the musical heritage of the areas near the Black Sea. Its origins can be found in ancient Greece, as it is quite similar to the ancient Greek frame-drum called “tympanon.”

LUTHIEROS Dahare-style Bendir is equipped with a tuning system that enables the modern musician to tune it on different tones, by simply adding or extracting air around the frame. It comes in three versions, 20″ diameter (50 cm), 18″ diameter (45 cm), and 16″ (40 cm). It has a 10 cm depth, adding a great set of extra frequencies to your playing. It can produce a great variety of tones thanks to the spreading of shock waves moving across the skin.

Frame drums are the oldest and most common kind of drum, and they were used in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc. What’s more, they are used until today during the special mystagogic ceremonies of the Sufi, where the use of music, rhythm, and dance are essential elements to reach particular states of consciousness.

Dahare can be played to accompany ancient and modern instruments, providing depth in the sound of a music band. It can also be used independently, to provide a mystic sound background to special events and moments.

Manufactured at the premises of the ancient Europos (Northern Greece) by a family of musicians and luthiers, the LUTHIEROS Dahare-style Bendir is made using natural materials available during antiquity. All parts are made of quality wood with great musicality, and the cymbals are made of bronze, while the soundboard is made of premium animal skin. Final touches are added by using fabric, while the tuning system is the only one where we use modern materials.

This ancient artifact evolved to become a modern musical instrument ready to be used by both amateur and professional musicians. For all the minor (but very important) alterations, top-notch technologies were used during the prototyping phase (such as 3d Modeling and rapid prototyping) as part of University-based research by members of the LUTHIEROS family. Key collaborations include the International Hellenic University and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

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Pieces of history

Bring the Museum
back Home

There is no benefit when music stands secret and hidden.

— Lucian, 2nd c. CE

SEIKILO Museum offers a fine selection of premium products closely related to our ancient world's musical heritage. Whether a replica of a lyre or another ancient musical instrument, sheet music of ancient surviving melodies, books about the history & myths of music in ancient Greece, or pristine quality recordings of ancient-inspired melodies, you can take with you a unique piece of history that you will cherish for a lifetime and even pass on to the next generation of your family.

Explore more in the options below...

Bring the Museum to your Home

Η σκοτεινή λύρα του Ορφέα (Χέλυς 9χορδή με ξύλινο σκαφτό αντίγραφο καυκάλου)

Acquire an Artifact

Discover the magic of ancient music with the handcrafted instrument recreations of the unique SEIKILO collection, such as a lyre, a kithara, a phorminx, or a pandura!

Η σκοτεινή λύρα του Ορφέα (Χέλυς 9χορδή με ξύλινο σκαφτό αντίγραφο καυκάλου)

Preserve the Stories

All the myths and stories you heard during your visit to the SEIKILO Museum are but a mere fragment of what was written. Explore the legacy of the lyre through SEIKILO museum-quality books!

Η σκοτεινή λύρα του Ορφέα (Χέλυς 9χορδή με ξύλινο σκαφτό αντίγραφο καυκάλου)

Experience Ancient Music at Home

Replicate the amazing experience of a SEIKILO museum visit by listening to studio-quality recordings of surviving ancient melodies and contemporary compositions on ancient musical instruments.

Η σκοτεινή λύρα του Ορφέα (Χέλυς 9χορδή με ξύλινο σκαφτό αντίγραφο καυκάλου)

Ancient Games, Modern Play

Αncient Greeks designed a series of highly educational games through which the youngsters sharpened their minds and developed critical thinking. Experience the timelessness of play with our series of ancient board games for the whole family, handcrafted with premium materials.

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Get in touch

Filippou 5, Thessaloniki

+30 2316019635

info@seikilo.com

Filippou 5, Thessaloniki

WhatsApp +30 6981175235

Viber +30 6981175235

Must know before you visit

The Museum runs interactive tours from Monday to Friday (11:00 & 16:00) and on Saturday (11:00), strictly upon reservation. More time slots are available upon request.

All our tours are guided by a professional lyre player who performs live for you.

Available time slots highly depend on the season. Please reach out for details.

The cost is 15 € per person and 5 € for kids up to 12 (always accompanied by an adult).