Democratic Republic of Congo
Mangbetu

Ivory
Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Length: 13 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Tapper

This Mangbetu ivory tapper terminates into a handle at the top, in the shape of a head with pointed chin, triangular nose, crescent shaped eyes and semi circular ears, all beneath a high ridged coiffure. They are of the Sudanese origin. The Mangbetu art is a royal art that is elegant, refined, and of great beauty.