A very rare old carved wooden harp (Body). The Harp is missing its neck and strings. Anthropomorphic arch harps with the neck emerging from the body of the instrument have a very limited distribution in Africa. Other sorts of anthropomorphic harps are found in surrounding areas, but harps of the type pictured here are restricted to a territory east of the confluence of the Ubangi and Congo Rivers. The harp has a deep well handled surface and golden honey color suggesting years of field use. The harp body measures 18 inches tall. Provenance: The Edward Cutler collection. * Smithsonian Institution's expert Africanist.

Good/ fair, well handled, loss to the neck and strings, stress fracture