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Mbira

A nineteenth century musical instrument from Africa, usually called a thumb piano or mbira with eight keys mounted on a wooden sound box. The date of the instrument is not certain but it was made before 1879. The sound box casing bears a label inscribed 'Musical Instrument from Loango presented by James Lyon, Greenock', indicating an origin in the Congo for the instrument.

  • Date:
    before 1879
  • Maker:
  • Collection:
    McLean Museum and Art Gallery
  • Inventory number:
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  • Place of production:
    Loango (Timezone: Africa/Brazzaville)
  • Culture:
  • Period:19th century
  • Materials:
  • Specific materials/techniques:
  • Decorative elements:
  • Inscriptions:
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:
  • Repository:McLean Museum and Art Gallery