Owner: HWMC
Catalog#: AF-AELV-26-14
Reference: http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search?ft=mangbetu+horn – Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, New York
Lip Vibrated
Mangbetu Royal Horn (B)
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mangbetu
Ivory and snake skin
ca. Early-Mid 20th century
Length: 32 inches
Aerophone – Lip Vibrated – Horn
This beautifully carved side-blown ivory horntrumpet decorated with snake skin is from the Mangbetu people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Orientale Provenance. Ivory horns/trumpets such as this are associated with royal ensembles. Featured at the tip of the horn is a figurative female. Below the blow-hole reptile skin is attached. Two carved wide-bands of deep relief ridges continue down the horn.