This wonderful group of east African musical instruments consists of two stringed instruments and a thumb piano. The larger stringed instrument features a long, slender shaft surmounted by an unusual well-worn carved head with red-beaded eyes. The smaller of the two displays a beautiful curved form, and, like the larger instrument, is attached to its original calabash. The base of the thumb piano has been ingeniously crafted from an old tin can featuring text in different languages - probably a cooking oil container - and features a slender piece of wood attached to its outer surface, with affixed metal keys. Amusingly, from a closer look at the visible English text on the tin that forms the top of the thumb piano, it is possible to make out the following words: 'United States of America, Not To Be Sold or Exported'. As a result of use over time, the surfaces of each instrument are well patinated.
Estimated Period: Pre-1950s
Largest Stringed Instrument - Length: 108cm, Width: 35cm
Smaller Stringed Instrument - Length: 35.5cm, Width: 15cm
Thumb Piano - Length: 38cm, Width: 16.5cm
BNF.AGEO
(Click on images to enlarge)
