321.331 Half-spike or tanged bowl lutes

Tanged lute, three strings, made of twisted fibre are attached to the wooden neck of this lute, which is made of a wooden resonator, covered with skin. The skin is laced to the back of the hollowed out resonator, and has a round sound hole cut in the front just below the bridge.

According to Mercedes Mackay, who collected this instrument, probably in the 1940s, the molo can have seeds and shells attached to it which rattle as it is played. The player may also tap the resonator with a metal-capped finger.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
M15.6.55/9
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 26.7717 x 4.9213 x 4.3307 in.; 680 x 125 x 110 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood; hide; leather; hair
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
LOCATION
SHAREABLE LINK

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Collection Information

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