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Shell zither with resonator

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An elongated bowl with steep inner walls and a flat bottom; slightly curved towards the narrow sides, each of which has six diagonally drilled string guide perforations (type D). One end of the string is wrapped around a longitudinally carved stem extension, the other [is] clamped on the rim of the bowl under the last tension and secured with a knot. A spherical calabash resonator open at the top. A connecting cord running around the bowl below the string level. This is also tied to a round crosspiece resting under the calabash opening. On the resonator there are numerous seams with vegetable string. The longitudinal walls of the bowl [are] carved on the outside using the notch-cut technique. Geometric and animal motifs. There is a large, carved, wheel-shaped projection on the handle. from Ulrich Wegner: Afrikanische Saiteninstrumente, Staatliche Museen Berlin - SPK, 1984 (Appendix Object Catalogue)

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Cataloguing data

Object type
musical instruments
Dimensions
Diameter: 3,3 cm
Length: 71 cm
Depth: 28,5 cm
Material/Technique
Wood, Plant fibre , Pumpkin peel
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III E 3588

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    where
    Tanzania
    Usaramo
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    Africa

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

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