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Lamellaphone (malimba)
Unknown people
19th century
Object Place: Nigeria
Medium/Technique
Wood, cane
Dimensions
Length 31.6 cm, width 10.5 cm, depth 4 cm (Length 12 7/16 in., width 4 1/8 in., depth 1 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.2188
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Idiophones
DescriptionComposite box-shaped body of wood with incised designs on all surfaces. Small triangular soundhole just below bridge and small circular soundhole (?) on back near upper end. Eight lamellae of cane tied in place between wood backrest and bridge with twined plant fiber. Printed paper label glued to back: (West Coast of Africa)
InscriptionsPrinted paper label glued to back: (West Coast of Africa)
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)