Zaramo, Tanzania: A trough zither with a standing female figure on the handle.
![Zaramo, Tanzania: A trough zither with a standing female figure on the handle. - Tribal Art Zaramo, Tanzania: A trough zither with a standing female figure on the handle. - Tribal Art](/fileadmin/lot-images/39T150526/normal/zaramo-tansania-eine-schalen-zither-mit-einer-stehenden-frauenfigur-ueber-dem-griff-2782642.jpg)
Trough zithers, called ‘Inaga’, are a typical musical instrument of several tribes in eastern Tanzania. The present ‘Inaga’, carved from hard brown wood and coloured black and brown, can be clearly attributed to the tribe of the Zaramo. This is suggested by the female figure in the upper section, on the handle of the stringed instrument. This is a so-called ‘Mwana hiti figure’ and, as a simplified ‘doll’, plays an important role in the initiation rituals of girls among the Zaramo.
The present ‘Mwana hiti figure’ is, however, very finely executed, with the characteristic double crested coiffure of the Zaramo, a small and accurately carved face, fingers, toes, etc. The ‘trough’ of the zither itself displays the typical form of an ‘Inaga’: long and arched, the sides slightly retracted, with holes for six strings in the upper and lower sections, and two holes at the bottom of the ‘trough’ for attaching a large, dried pumpkin calabash on the back of the instrument. The calabash serves as resonating chamber (here no longer present).
The present trough zither is a perfect example of this musical instrument, with good usage patina (see handle!). No damage.
First half of the 20th century; L: 67 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Viennese Private Collection.
Lit.: 'Sounding Forms. African Musical Instruments' by Marie-Thérèse Brincard, ill. p. 99, fig. 22; 'Africa. Musica y Arte' by Elena Martinez-Jacquet & David Serra, fig. 18, 19, 34.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
26.05.2015 - 15:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,000.- to EUR 1,400.-
Zaramo, Tanzania: A trough zither with a standing female figure on the handle.
Trough zithers, called ‘Inaga’, are a typical musical instrument of several tribes in eastern Tanzania. The present ‘Inaga’, carved from hard brown wood and coloured black and brown, can be clearly attributed to the tribe of the Zaramo. This is suggested by the female figure in the upper section, on the handle of the stringed instrument. This is a so-called ‘Mwana hiti figure’ and, as a simplified ‘doll’, plays an important role in the initiation rituals of girls among the Zaramo.
The present ‘Mwana hiti figure’ is, however, very finely executed, with the characteristic double crested coiffure of the Zaramo, a small and accurately carved face, fingers, toes, etc. The ‘trough’ of the zither itself displays the typical form of an ‘Inaga’: long and arched, the sides slightly retracted, with holes for six strings in the upper and lower sections, and two holes at the bottom of the ‘trough’ for attaching a large, dried pumpkin calabash on the back of the instrument. The calabash serves as resonating chamber (here no longer present).
The present trough zither is a perfect example of this musical instrument, with good usage patina (see handle!). No damage.
First half of the 20th century; L: 67 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Viennese Private Collection.
Lit.: 'Sounding Forms. African Musical Instruments' by Marie-Thérèse Brincard, ill. p. 99, fig. 22; 'Africa. Musica y Arte' by Elena Martinez-Jacquet & David Serra, fig. 18, 19, 34.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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Auction: | Tribal Art |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 26.05.2015 - 15:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 20.05. - 26.05.2015 |
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