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Five-stringed Harp with Human Head (Kundi)

Arts of Africa

CULTURE Mangbetu
MEDIUM Wood, hide
DATES late 19th or early 20th century
DIMENSIONS 13 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (34.3 x 54.6 x 14 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER 22.870
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Viol-shaped resonator, pointed at both ends. Resonator is made of wood and covered with hide. Two round openings are found on anterior surface. Curved neck is topped by a human head with stylized headdress. 5 peg holes are found on the neck, pegs are missing. CONDITION: Cracks are found in surface of hide.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Mangbetu. Five-stringed Harp with Human Head (Kundi), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, hide, 13 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (34.3 x 54.6 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.870. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.870_bottom_PS5.jpg)
IMAGE bottom, CUR.22.870_bottom_PS5.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Mangbetu. <em>Five-stringed Harp with Human Head (Kundi)</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, hide, 13 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (34.3 x 54.6 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.870. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.870_bottom_PS5.jpg)