Zande Thumb Harp (Kalimba), D.R. Congo

Description of Significance:

The Zande Kalimba is a type of thumb piano that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The thumb piano, also known as a kalimba or mbira, is an African instrument that belongs to the idiophone family. This means that its sound is produced primarily by the instrument vibrating without the use of strings or membranes.

Modern thumb pianos are typically made of wood with metal tines that are plucked with the fingers to create the sound. However, ancient thumb pianos were made out of gourds or wood with bamboo and/or metal tines. The Zande Kalimba is a particularly impressive example of this type of instrument, with a unique design and expert craftsmanship.

Thumb pianos have been used in African music for centuries and are considered an important part of many cultures. They are often used in traditional ceremonies and are also popular in contemporary music. The Zande Kalimba is a testament to the rich musical traditions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and an impressive example of the ingenuity and creativity of African instrument makers.

Origin:

• Handcrafted for ceremonial use in D.R. Congo

Dimensions:

• Depth: 1"
• Width: 5.5"
• Height: 8"

Materials: 

• Indigenous wood

Display:

• This piece includes the base shown.
• Please let us know if you are interested in a different display option.

Shipping:

• Shipped with FedEx Ground.
• A declared value is included in the shipping so a signature is required for delivery.
• We ship around the world! Our website is still new and is not yet processing automatic international shipping rates. Please contact us directly for custom shipping quotes outside the mainland USA (including Hawaii and Alaska).

About Antique African Art:

Hemingway Gallery regards antique African art as the best artistic expression of aesthetic beauty and storytelling throughout the known history of art. Aside from artistic taste, African art accrues value in different ways than other genres, including use in ceremonial settings as well as age. 50 years can be regarded as old or antique when it comes to wood masks and totems. Hemingway Gallery provides both authoritative insight and context into each artifact in the collection, possessing and readily exhibiting direct, intimate knowledge of the source and pedigree. The goal is to preserve and curate one-of-a-kind artifacts of importance while creating a platform for the acquisition of spectacular unique pieces within financial reach.

Our Pricing:

Hemingway Gallery ethically sources all the fine art in our collection. Our pricing correlates directly to the asking prices of artists, artisans and art dealers in the various African countries we collect from and the costs of importing the artwork to the U.S. We need to change the idea that artists should be paid pennies for their fine art just because it comes from Africa. Paying a fair price in Africa  is our number one priority and our pricing reflects that. 

Further Information:

Please email us at info@hemingwayafricangallery.com or call 212-838-3650 with the SKU # for further information on this piece.