Mangbetu or Zande, Democratic Republic of Congo: A rare, figural musical instrument, called ‘sanza’, ‘mbira’ or ‘thumb piano’.
Mangbetu or Zande, Democratic Republic of Congo: A rare, figural musical instrument, called ‘sanza’, ‘mbira’ or ‘thumb piano’.
![Mangbetu or Zande, Democratic Republic of Congo: A rare, figural musical instrument, called ‘sanza’, ‘mbira’ or ‘thumb piano’. - Tribal Art Mangbetu or Zande, Democratic Republic of Congo: A rare, figural musical instrument, called ‘sanza’, ‘mbira’ or ‘thumb piano’. - Tribal Art](/fileadmin/lot-images/39T141105/normal/mangbetu-oder-zande-dr-kongo-ein-seltenes-figurales-musik-instrument-genannt-sanza-mbira-oder-daumenklavier-3304721.jpg)
A ‘sanza’ musical instrument in the form of an entire, standing female figure, made of lightweight wood, dyed dark brown. From the Mangbetu or Zande (also Azande), two neighbouring tribes in northern Congo. Their artistic styles are very similar to each other. With a typical head, the neck wrapped with copper wire both arms raised. The hollow body of the figure constitutes the resonance box of the instrument. Mounted on flat front side are eight slats made of wood (bamboo), which are plucked on their lower ends (hence ‘thumb piano’). A very rare, unusual form of this instrument, with good, old usage patina. A small crack on the upper right. First half of the 20th century or earlier; H: 38 cm, W: 12 cm. (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘Afrika’ by Michel Leiris & Jacqueline Delange, ill. 222; ‘Sounding Forms’ by Marie-Therese Brincard, ill. p. 130, fig. 20.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 1,000.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,600.- to EUR 1,800.-
Mangbetu or Zande, Democratic Republic of Congo: A rare, figural musical instrument, called ‘sanza’, ‘mbira’ or ‘thumb piano’.
A ‘sanza’ musical instrument in the form of an entire, standing female figure, made of lightweight wood, dyed dark brown. From the Mangbetu or Zande (also Azande), two neighbouring tribes in northern Congo. Their artistic styles are very similar to each other. With a typical head, the neck wrapped with copper wire both arms raised. The hollow body of the figure constitutes the resonance box of the instrument. Mounted on flat front side are eight slats made of wood (bamboo), which are plucked on their lower ends (hence ‘thumb piano’). A very rare, unusual form of this instrument, with good, old usage patina. A small crack on the upper right. First half of the 20th century or earlier; H: 38 cm, W: 12 cm. (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘Afrika’ by Michel Leiris & Jacqueline Delange, ill. 222; ‘Sounding Forms’ by Marie-Therese Brincard, ill. p. 130, fig. 20.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
Auction: | Tribal Art |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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