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Figurative harp (domu or kundi)
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Although five-stringed melodic harps with anthropomorphic decorations are found among different peoples in northern Congo, the elongated skull of this work is characteristic of the Mangbetu. Such instruments commonly served to accompany songs by either male or female musicians. Cleveland artist Paul Travis acquired this work and some others during his travels in Central Africa in 1928.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Mangbetu-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | by 1928 |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu-style maker |
| Medium | Wood, rawhide, plant fiber, metal, and glass bead |
| Dimensions | Handle: 36.9 cm (14 1/2 in.); Drum: 18.2 cm (7 3/16 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Musical Instrument |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
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