Boat-Shaped Lamellophone

You are looking at a rare and archaic type of lamellophone with a hollowed out, pirogue-shaped body of light wood. A separately carved top, marked with intriguing but rather vague, organic designs, is stitched to the resonator with rattan. Each side of the resonator is inscribed with a bold, geometric motif which, in addition to decorating the boat-like soundbox, may have benefitted the musician with a better grip. Six bamboo keys are situated amidship. A somewhat similar instrument, with a rich black patina and four metal keys, can be found at the Musée National des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie (Afrique) #75.9968.4. That instrument is identified as having origins in Congo, Brazzaville. Another, this one in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, is recollected as being identified as BaKongo, although at the time of this writing the AMNH collection database is offline. Considering the general fragility of bamboo tines, active playing of this antique instrument is not recommended. $850

14″

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