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Xylophone (mbila) and one mallet
Chopi people
19th century
Object Place: Mozambique
Medium/Technique
Wood, gourds
Dimensions
Length 55.5 cm, width 36.5 cm (Length 21 7/8 in., width 14 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.2182a-b
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Idiophones
DescriptionU-shaped frame of wood with shallow notches along upper edges of sides. Centrally-placed longitudinal strut joined to frame at each end with two round tenons. Ten keys of wood, each pair divided by additional strips of wood set on edge, all tied together and to frame with leather strips. Attached to holes in strut under each key are gourd resonators of graded size, each with small nipple with circular opening to receive mirilton (nearly all missing). Single extant mallet of wood with head formed from natural latex rubber.
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)