Anthropomorphic bow harp "ngombi" (cordophone) - North Gabon / South Cameroon, Fang
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Description
wood, animal skin and sinews, plant fiber, six (of originally eight) strings, two sound holes, handwritten inventory no. "5741", base
The harp "ngombi" was used in ceremonies of the "bwiti" society. It was the property of a priest of the cult community and was played at religious gatherings.
The crowning head represents the central figure of the "bwiti" religion, the mother figure "Nyingwan Mbege". In sculptures and paintings she is often depicted as rising from the moon, holding the sun in her right hand and the moon in her left.
H: 77 cm; L: 76 cm, H: 30,3 inch; L: 29,9 inch
Provenance:
Private Collection, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (1973)
Published In:
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Afrikanische Kunst in Deutschen Privatsammlungen, München 1973, p. 325, cat.466
AHDRC: 0050454
Lit.: Kubik, Gerhard et. al., Afrikanische Musikinstrumente, Berlin 2014, p. 242
Continent: Africa
The harp "ngombi" was used in ceremonies of the "bwiti" society. It was the property of a priest of the cult community and was played at religious gatherings.
The crowning head represents the central figure of the "bwiti" religion, the mother figure "Nyingwan Mbege". In sculptures and paintings she is often depicted as rising from the moon, holding the sun in her right hand and the moon in her left.
H: 77 cm; L: 76 cm, H: 30,3 inch; L: 29,9 inch
Provenance:
Private Collection, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (1973)
Published In:
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Afrikanische Kunst in Deutschen Privatsammlungen, München 1973, p. 325, cat.466
AHDRC: 0050454
Lit.: Kubik, Gerhard et. al., Afrikanische Musikinstrumente, Berlin 2014, p. 242
Continent: Africa
Condition
See description
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- 30%
Anthropomorphic bow harp "ngombi" (cordophone) - North Gabon / South Cameroon, Fang
Estimate €4,000 - €8,000
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