Lot number 2665 - Auction 160
FIGÜRLICHE BOGENHARFE (VERMUTLICH KUNDI ODER NGOMBI)

FIGURAL ARCHED HARP (PROBABLY KUNDI OR NGOMBI) Congo (formerly Zaire), Africa, 20th century. Pentagonal wooden resonator, nailed animal-skin covering, carved neck base featuring a human head, curved harp neck with wooden tuning pegs. Length approx. 55 cm, width 41 cm. Anthropomorphic arched harps are among the traditional string instruments of Central Africa and are particularly common among the Fang, Azande, and Mangbetu cultures. In the literature, the African 5-string arched harp is frequently referred to as 'kundi' (among the Azande/Mangbetu) or 'ngombi' (among the Fang/Kota) and served to accompany singing and ceremonies. Shows some signs of wear. Provenance: Private collection, Hesse.