Single Head Tambourine Appraisal

Vintage Wooden Single-Head Tambourine

This musical instrument is a classic single-head tambourine featuring a circular steam-bent wooden frame. The frame is constructed from a light-colored wood, likely maple or birch, and houses several pairs of metal jingles, known as zills. These jingles appear to be made of a tarnished alloy, possibly brass or steel, and are mounted in rectangular cutouts around the circumference of the shell. A translucent natural rawhide skin is stretched across the top and secured to the side of the shell with a series of weathered, domed metal tacks. The skin shows a significant amount of texture and age-related discoloration, suggesting it has been used over a long period. The metal jingles exhibit a heavy patina and surface oxidation, while the wooden frame displays some scuffing and darkening from handling. There are no visible maker's marks or stamps in this view, but the craftsmanship suggests a mid-20th-century folk or school-grade instrument. The overall condition is fair to good, with all components intact but showing the characteristic wear of an antique or well-used vintage percussion piece.