Harp

19th century; Zaire, probably Zande; Wood, hide, metal, beads; height 42 cm (16 1/2 in.); Founders Society Purchase, Henry Ford II Fund, Benson and Edith Ford Fund; 82.29

The magnificent realm of King Munza of the Mangbetu empire was described by a German explorer in the 1870s. In the explorer's sketches, King Munza is shown dancing before his many wives in a huge vaulted room. Perhaps this rare harp was one of the instruments used to accompany the king in such lavish functions, for the Zande made such harps to be used by court minstrels. Strings would have been attached from the sounding board to the side of the elegant female figure.

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