Details

Title

Thumb Piano

Artist/Maker

Chokwe Artist, Angola

Date

late nineteenth–early twentieth century

Medium

Wood and metal

Dimensions

5 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches

Credit

Fred and Rita Richman Collection

Accession #

72.40.172

On View

On View - Stent Family Wing, Skyway, Gallery 401

In Chokwe communities of the southern savannah region of central Africa, oral historians make political commentary while singing the praises of accomplished individuals. The music of thumb pianos and stringed instruments often accompanies their voices. This thumb piano, decorated with a miniature, mask-like face, is unusually small and easily portable. The thumb piano—also called a mbira, sanza, likembe, or kalimba—is played throughout much of Africa and the African diaspora. Thumb piano music has gained international fame, popularized by musicians including Stella Rambisai Chiweshe, a Shona artist from Zimbabwe.

More from this Artist

Browse Related Artwork

Billy and Minzly
Billy and Minzly

Rahim Fortune

Tire Shop
Tire Shop

Rahim Fortune

Male figure
Male figure

Lobi Artist, Ivory Coast

Gem’s Arm
Gem’s Arm

Rahim Fortune

Say My Name
Say My Name

Fahamu Pecou

(not entered)
(not entered)

Lobi Artist, Ivory Coast

Studio (0X5A8180), 2021
Studio (0X5A8180), 2021

Paul Mpagi Sepuya

(not entered)
(not entered)

East African Artist

Male figure
Male figure

Luluwa Artist, Democratic Republic of the Congo