West Africa (Ivory Coast?)
Mande

Calabash, bone, leather, wood, nylon string, sinew, hide, cloth rope
ca. Late 19th / Early 20th Century
Height: 57.5 inches
Chordophone – Bridge-Harp-Plucked

A kora (bridge-harp), possibly from the Ivory Coast, with two ranks of strings. (The simbingo of Gambia resembles this Kora, except that the simbingo has one rank of strings) There are 10 nylon strings divided into two ranks of five each, however the vertical string holder/bridge has 14 holes divided into two ranks of seven each (the bottom holes next to the skin head are missing strings). The two sticks that come from the resonator do not curve into the neck and their ends protrude at the bottom. These sticks act as handles showing patina and much use. Attached to the bridge are elements including a sealed leather pouch, horn, leather strips, cowrie shells and paste materials. These objects attached to the harp appear to be associated with sorcery rather than with hunters or warriors. The sound table skin is attached to the calabash by curved metal pins.  At the top of the neck is a ‘nyenmyemo’ (metal resonator fringed with metal rings).   Shows much age and usage.