Lyre

19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
Endongo, with lizardskin soundtable and hide tuning rings.
Lyres have two wood or horn arms that project from the body and carry a crossbar to which the upper ends of the strings are fastened. The strings lie nearly parallel to the soundtable. African lyre bodies are made of wood, gourds, tortoise or coconut shells. Most African lyres lack bridges; the strings vibrate against the soundtable to create a buzzing sound.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Lyre
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Uganda?
  • Culture: Probably Ganda People
  • Medium: Wood, snake or lizard skin,
  • Dimensions: 22 7/8 × 11 × 3 15/16 in. (58.1 × 28 × 10 cm)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Lyre-plucked
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.2863
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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