Pictured above is a collection of lyres, a popular musical instrument used on the Greek islands. According to Greek mythology, the god Hermes invented the lyre out of a tortoise shell and cow gut.

The lyre is similar to the violin and is played in an upright position, usually while resting on the knee
of the lyre player.

The strings are not pressed; rather, lyre players use their finger nails to press against the strings.
The above lyres were created by Nick Basilas,
also pictured above. Nick is self taught and has been making lyres for six
years.

For more information, feel free to contact him at the following numbers: (210) 49-42-635 (Athens, Greece) and (22450) 22-737 (Karpathos)