GOGO MBIRA 4, Tanzania

This mbira has been vetted as being authentic with significant signs of use and age ( 19th Cent. ).

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

GOGO
MBIRA 4
14.75" high x10.5" wide x 3.5" deep
$400
SOLD
Tanzania

This wonderful old ( 19th Cent.) mbira has some damage. There are repaired cracks (now stable) on the front and back, and breaks on both sides of the top.The leather strap is probably a replacement.

Mbira are among the art forms in Africa, used both as a musical instrument and as a work of sculpture significant in many ceremonial functions, including dance, rituals and story-telling. Our selections are mostly abstract, with sounding chambers, sounding holes and metal or cane keys. They are played with the thumbs, hence the term "thumb pianos". None of our is complete enough to be considered really playable.