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Thumb Piano3512/47

Thumb piano consisting of eleven metal prongs attached to a wooden base with a metal bar, secured with four hooks, and supported by a strip of metal sheeting. The prongs are flat at the tip and then curve upward at their ends, with balls of resin(?) attached underneath. The top and sides of the base have raised walls; the top wall is straight, sides curve inwards. The bottom flares outward and has a rounded edge. There are incised and burnt triangle designs on the sides and bottom of the base.

Culture
Khoisan
Material
wood, steel metal and resin ?
Made in
Central, Botswana
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoAe46

Light tan-coloured musical instrument covered with curvilinear designs burnt onto the surface and blackened ends. Hollow body with a flat top and rounded bottom; ten keys are made from stiff strips of wood attached to the top of the body; two protrusions at one end of body. The word "Kubom" inscribed in blue ink along one side.

Culture
Central African
Material
wood, plant fibre ? and adhesive ?
Made in
Cameroon
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoK4.52

Instrument with seven metal prongs attached at an angle on a concavely curved wooden closed sound box; carved with "Nindakule". A slightly curving row of four holes near the middle and three more holes in a triangular formation at the end opposite the metal tongues (keys). A row of three holes at the end near the triangular formation with three curved points at the other end near the metal prongs. On the wood, there is a metal loop at either sides of the metal prongs.

Culture
East African
Material
iron metal and wood
Made in
Tanzania
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoK4.50

Thin brown smooth-backed wood piece. Narrow rectangular wood platform has on top ten metal tongues (keys), placed lengthwise to the wood piece and held in place by a lateral bar wrapped in metal strips that are inserted into the wood piece through to the back. Large hole in the middle of the wood piece. Two carved geometric designs on the wood base. The main design consists of two horizontal rows of four squares with opposing diagonal lines, creating two x-shapes over eight squares in total surrounded by a double rectangular outline. The other design consists of three horizontal upraised lines surrounded by a rectangular outline.

Culture
Southern African
Material
iron metal and wood
Made in
Angola
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoK4.133

Thumb piano consisting of nine metal prongs attached to wooden base with a metal bar that has been secured with metal wire, and supported by a strip of metal sheeting. The sides of the thumb piano each have a raised wall that curves inwards, and the top and bottom ends curve outwards. There is a burnt design of triangles and lines on the bottom end, and of zig-zag lines on the side walls.

Culture
Barotse
Material
steel metal ?, wood and copper metal ?
Made in
Zimbabwe
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb Piano636/7

Thumb piano that has a rectangular wooden board with a wooden bridge from which twelve metal sticks of varying lengths are attached. Fibre string is woven through two holes for hanging. Thumb piano has geometric incised designs. There is a metal attachment at one end with two loose metal rings. There is a modern string attached to the fibre. A hole has been made in the middle of the wooden board.

Culture
Ovimbundu ?
Material
wood, fibre and metal
Made in
Angola
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoAa172

Rectangular thumb-piano carved from one piece of wood hollowed out and separate sides glued on. Ten metal playing strips (7.7 to 11.6 cm. in length), one is missing at the side, separated by a strip of grass(?) fibres attached through fourteen holes.

Culture
Mbuti ?
Material
wood, iron metal, fibre and adhesive
Made in
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoCa63

Thumb piano composed of a rectangular box with one end concavely carved and a series of metal tongues secured over a lateral bar at the other end. The tongues are held in place with strips of wood attached through holes in the wooden body, which is carved out underneath. A beveled peak ornaments the top end.

Culture
Ethiopian
Material
metal and wood
Made in
Ethiopia
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoAc253

Thin brown smooth-backed wood piece. Narrow rectangular wood platform has on top seven metal tongues (keys), once nine, evenly-spaced in a row, placed lengthwise to the wood piece, and held in place by a lateral bar wrapped in metal strips that are inserted into the wood piece through to the back. Length of knotted hide strung through two holes at same end. Large hole in the middle of the wood piece. Lateral bar inserted in the edge with two loosely-wrapped metal bands. Carved with a main geometric design consisting of four parallel horizontal bands, from top to bottom: diagonal lines, opposing diagonal lines, four double-outlined u-curves, and four upside down u forms with diagonals inside.

Culture
Chokwe
Material
skin, metal and wood
Made in
Luma Kasai, Angola
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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Thumb PianoAc252

Thin light to dark brown carved box resonator, open at the lower end, and tapering towards tapered metal tongues (keys) held relatively parallel to one another lengthwise on the top by a metal lateral bar, and spaced by short bent metal pieces inserted in wood. Tongues' lower ends upended by lateral bar placed underneath. Carved panel lower end has crossing diagonals and a large flat rounded nut strung on hide knotted through holes on either side widthwise across the panel. Small reddish brown nut-like metal container strung on left with cotton thread. Box opening has lateral metal bar with four loosely wrapped metal bands. Length of knotted fibre strung through two holes at box's upper end.

Culture
Chokwe
Material
skin, nut, metal, wood, fibre and cotton fibre
Made in
Luma Kasai, Angola
Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
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