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Kora — Africa, unknown maker

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Written by: Kerem TekinResearcher · Old Master Paintings
African, Oceanic & Americas Art · Catalogue no. 21575
Africa, unknown maker

Kora

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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The kora is an instrument that has 21 strings. This example is now missing many, which would have been tied along its long neck. The strings are plucked with the fingers, causing the sound to resonate in the half-sphere-shaped gourd body. Stitch marks on the back show that many cracks on the gourd were repaired in the past.

Artist / MakerAfrica, unknown maker
Datebefore 1918
Culture / OriginAfrica, unknown maker
MediumGourd, wood, rawhide, string, and rope
DimensionsDiameter: 32.4 cm (12 3/4 in.); Overall: 111.8 cm (44 in.)
DepartmentAfrican Art
TypeMusical Instrument
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Provenance & Source

Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

Condition

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