Cleveland Museum of Art

Bowharp

Date

by 1928

Medium

Wood, rawhide, plant fiber, metal, and glass bead

Culture

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu-style maker

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Although five-stringed melodic harps with anthropomorphic decorations are found among different peoples in northern Congo, the elongated skull of this work is characteristic of the Mangbetu. Such instruments commonly served to accompany songs by either male or female musicians. Cleveland artist Paul Travis acquired this work and some others during his travels in Central Africa in 1928.

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