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Musical bow
Unknown people
19th century
Object Place: Southern Africa
Medium/Technique
Wood, gourd
Dimensions
Length 106.2 cm, width 13.4 cm, depth 9.8 cm (Length 41 13/16 in., width 5 1/4 in., depth 3 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.1702
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionIrregularly arched branch of wood strung with twined plant fiber, but also having wrappings of strips of cane (?) at the ends. Two small areas near center of wood blackened from fire (?). Spherical gourd resonator tied around stave and string with twined plant fiber. Beater stick (of tentative association) marked in ink: BEIRA.
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)