Bowharp
1900–1928
- 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.)
- Genre
- Musical instrument
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Styles
Tags
Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu-style maker
About
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.