Wambee (pluriarc)
This late-nineteenth century wambee is made from a wooden resonating box from which five rods project upwards. The box’s outer sides are curved, tapering toward the top, and decorated with incised lines arranged in squares. The sides of the box have been secured using metal tacks. The rods are bound to the back of the box and one another using fiber cord. The instrument’s five gut strings, attached to each of the five rods at the top and then threaded through five small holes at the front of the resonator, hold the cylindrical bridge placed on top of the resonator in place. (Althea SullyCole, 2022)
Artwork Details
- Title: Wambee (pluriarc)
- Date: late 19th century
- Geography: Possibly the Republic of Congo or Gabon
- Culture: Gabonese (possibly)
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: 64cm x 13.5cm x 20.5cm
- Classification: Chordophone-Musical Bow
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.546
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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