Lyre

Ugandan or Kenyan

Not on view

Decorative lyre. 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. Although this example is fitted with a bridge, most African lyres lack this feature allowing the strings vibrate against the soundtable to create a buzzing sound.

Lyre, Wood, horn, gourd, skin, Ugandan or Kenyan

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