Harpe Mangbetu

Anthropomorphic harp of the MANGBETU people, Uélé region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century.
Rare multi-headed model.
Wooden hollowbody in square shape is covered with an animal hide that serves as a soundboard, pierced with 10 small circular sound holes.
The rest of the body is pyramidal in shape, carved with small cubes on the sides; it is topped by a carved head, and two other heads emerge on either side of the neck.

The neck, which is arched, supports five wooden tuning pegs and also ends in a carved head.
The faces display the characteristics of the Mangbetu style of the Uélé region: well-defined faces with scarification on the forehead and beneath the closed eyes, with exposed necks, protruding ears, and tall headdresses featuring vertical and horizontal striations that end in a flared section.

Height: 576 mm
Width: 340 mm
Depth: 510 mm