Bowharp
Unknown Artist
by 1928
Medium
Wood, rawhide, plant fiber, metal, and glass bead
Dimensions
handle: h. 36.9 cm · drum: w. 18.2 cm, l. 37.5 cm
Classification
Musical Instrument
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House
Accession Number
1929.344
About this artwork
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.