Democratic Republic of Congo
Mangbetu

Horn, wood, string, copper wire and nail-heads, skin
20th century
Height 32 inches
Chordophone – Lyre – Plucked

This prestige item is a double horn lyre of the Mangbetu people used for singing or storytelling. The horns are of an adult male Nyala (South African antelope), which have been set into a wooden sounding-bowl in a traditional Mangbetu hour-glass shape. The horns themselves are each approximately 18″ (44cm) long. The ends of each horn have been carved into seated human/antelope figures (male and female) who applaud the performance. Four tuning pegs have been set into each horn, providing eight strings. The instrument stands on two humanoid legs which are exceptionally well-carved, with copper wire decoration and copper nail-heads ornamenting the knees.