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Figurative harp (domu or kundi)
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Although five-stringed melodic harps with anthropomorphic decorations are found among different peoples in northern Congo, the elongated skull of this work is characteristic of the Mangbetu. Such instruments commonly served to accompany songs by either male or female musicians. Cleveland artist Paul Travis acquired this work and some others during his travels in Central Africa in 1928.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineFigurative harp (domu or kundi), by 1928. Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu-style maker. Wood, rawhide, plant fiber, metal, and glass bead; handle: 36.9 cm (14 1/2 in.); drum: 18.2 cm (7 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House, 1929.344
