Bidspirit auction | ANGOLA CHOKWE THUMB PIANO

ANGOLA CHOKWE THUMB PIANO - Ca. early 20th century AD. > A thumb piano of rectangular wooden form, the soundboard fitted with a series of metal tines secured beneath a metal bridge and pressure bar, the keys arranged in graduated lengths to produce a range of tones when plucked with the thumbs. The lower register is mounted within a raised block, enhancing resonance and tonal clarity. The face of the instrument is decorated with incised geometric motifs, including a bordered panel of linear and chevron designs. Thumb pianos of this type are also known variously as likembe or mbira. > Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014. > For similar see: The British Musuem, Af1954,+23.3856. > Size: 140mm x 80mm; Weight: 80g > >