Musical InstrumentsChordophone-Lute-plucked-frettedmid 19th–19th centurySapeh is a chordophone-lute-plucked-fretted of Bornean (Kenyah people) origin created in mid 19th–19th century using wood — now part of the Musical Instruments collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About This Artwork
| Medium | Wood |
| Classification | Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted |
| Department | Musical Instruments |
| Credit Line | The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889 |
| Date | mid 19th–19th century |
Historical Context
Culture & Period
This work belongs to the Bornean (Kenyah people) culture. The estimated date range is 1850 – 1899.
Geography
Origin: Sarawak, Malaysia. 
Frequently Asked Questions
What department houses Sapeh?
Sapeh is housed in the Musical Instruments department of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
When was Sapeh created?
Sapeh dates to mid 19th–19th century.
What material is Sapeh made from?
Sapeh is crafted from wood.
Where does Sapeh originate?
Sapeh originates from Malaysia (Bornean (Kenyah people) culture).
Is Sapeh in the public domain?
Sapeh is not in the public domain; rights and reproduction restrictions may apply.
Data Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access · Last updated: April 2026