687 - West African harp lute, probably kora, calabash covered with leather, hand posts, cowrie shells

West African harp lute, probably kora, calabash covered with leather, hand posts, cowrie shells Calabash, wood and leather, West African harp lute, probably kora, hemispherical body of a calabash, covered with leather and edged with leather strips, long round wooden neck with leather wrapping and eyelet at the end, two shorter wooden hand posts on either side of the neck, wooden bridge on the soundboard, strings of fishing line, cowrie shells inserted into leather slits on neck, hand posts and soundboard, in condition commensurate with age, one cowrie shell missing, rubbed, leather torn in places, L. 56 cm The kora is the bridge harp of West Africa, plucked with both hands, which is also classified as a harp lute: a halved gourd covered with cowhide as resonator, a long hardwood neck, a notched free-standing bridge and two handles by which the player holds the instrument. Before 1950 it was made entirely of natural materials with strings of antelope or cow hide; since 1950 nylon fishing lines have been used. Its origin probably lies in the Mandinka kingdom of Kaabu; it is found above all in Mali, the Gambia, Senegal and Guinea. Cowrie shells were a means of payment in West Africa until the 19th century and at the same time jewellery. As harp lute and bridge harp, the kora is the best-known African string instrument.