Horn

Art Historical Context

This elegant ivory horn, crafted by an unknown artist in late19th-century Zanzibar Tanzania, exemplifies the region's masterful tradition of carving precious materials. Measuring 29.8 cm in length, it belongs to the aerophone family—specifically a lip-vibrated horn—where the player buzzes their lips into the mouthpiece to produce deep, resonant tones. The smooth, polished ivory surface highlights the artisan's skill in shaping and finishing the natural tusk, a technique prized in East African coastal cultures where ivory was both a trade commodity and a symbol of prestige. Zanzibar, a vibrant...