Grahamstown, South Africa (Possibly)
Artisan

Wood, metal
Mid 20th Century
Length: 10 inches x Width: 6 inches (bottom) x Depth: 2 inches
Idiophone – Plucked – Lamellophone

This thumb piano (lamellophone) is called a ‘kalimba.’  It was given this name by the English ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey.  In the 1950s Tracy began to introduce this instrument internationally.  It is possibly an adaptation of the mbira Nyunga Nyunga of the Shonas ethnic group of Zimbabwe.  Nevertheless, it is a small version with 8 to 14, played with the thumbs. The larger type (karimba) are emblematic of the Shonas cultures, with 14 to 25 tongues and are held inside a large calabash and played with the thumbs and index fingers. 
These lamellophone instruments have several names depending on the geographical area where it is used:  likembe, kisanji, sanza or senza in Cameroon and Congo, mbira in Zimbabwe and Malawi, lukeme, karimba in Uganda….
This ‘kalimba’ has two separated groups of five (5) metal tongues (keys) in one row, with small metal rattle rings slipped onto each of the then (10) keys to achieve an extra buzzing sound when played.  The fan-shaped hollow wood resonator box flares to the end and shows burnt geometric designs on the top side of the box, with a hole in the bottom.   Shows signs of usage and age. 
According to Martin H. Samuel, many of these smaller kalimbas are handcrafted in a family-run workshop in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Special Thanks to Martin H. Samuel for his contributions and clarification to this posting.