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ID #SA1227005
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Tribal Art Thumb Piano
Martin Murray Antiques
for sale €187     $203
£160
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2024
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    Specialist in early furniture and works of art
Id #SA1227005
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Tribal Art Thumb Piano

1900 - 1920
Description

A small tribal thumb piano with good surface patina

African, early 20thc.

Height 19 cm ( 7 1/2”)

Width 16.5 cm (6 1/2”)

Declaration

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this African Thumb Piano Mbira to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1227005
Dealers Notes

For further details of any item or for a reliable shipping quote please get in touch. Shipping on items that can be posted is included in the UK

Worldwide shipping is available

Description
A small tribal thumb piano with good surface patina

African, early 20thc.

Height 19 cm ( 7 1/2”)

Width 16.5 cm (6 1/2”)

Date of Manufacture

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this African Thumb Piano Mbira to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1227005
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2024

Specialist in early furniture and works of art

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Martin Murray Antiques Profile Page

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A hand-carved dark wood thumb piano fitted with numerous hand-forged iron tines held down by a wire bridge.
1 / 2
Archive I A hand-carved dark wood thumb piano fitted with numerous hand-forged iron tines held down by a wire bridge.

Tribal art Thumb piano

Archive II A hand-carved dark wood thumb piano fitted with numerous hand-forged iron tines held down by a wire bridge. View II
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07970 625359
Location
Near Eye
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified Since Dec 2024
Items For Sale 53
Items Sold 66
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Eye, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Verified
Dec 2024
For Sale
53
Sold
66
A hand-carved dark wood thumb piano fitted with numerous hand-forged iron tines held down by a wire bridge.
Tribal art Thumb piano
Ref: SA1227005
A hand-carved dark wood thumb piano fitted with numerous hand-forged iron tines held down by a wire bridge.
Detail View 1
Archival Detail
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Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

An African thumb piano, commonly known as an mbira, kalimba, or sanza, is a traditional lamellophone instrument. It consists of metal tines attached to a wooden soundboard, played by plucking the keys with the thumbs and index fingers.

Traditional thumb pianos feature a soundboard fashioned from hardwood, with plucked tines crafted from hammered iron, steel wire, or repurposed metals. The keys are secured across a wooden bridge using wire bindings or metal bars.

Authentic hand-crafted instruments exhibit signs of functional wear, hand-forged metal tines with variable lengths, and carved wood soundboards showing natural patina. Mass-produced modern versions typically feature uniform, machine-stamped steel keys.

Display the instrument on an open bookshelf, mantelpiece, or styled console table tray alongside ceramic vessels and art books. Mounting the object within a shadow box frame also highlights its sculptural metallic details.

Keep the instrument in a dry, stable environment away from humidity fluctuations to prevent wood cracking and metal oxidisation. Clean gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth and apply microcrystalline wax to protect the iron keys and timber.
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