COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
MMA_.1992.326
AMICA Library Year:
2000
Object Type:
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality:
African; Central African; Congolese; Ekonda
Creator Role:
Maker
Creator Name-CRT:
Made by Ekonda people (Konda)
Title:
Bondjo (Side-Blow Trumpet)
Title Type:
Object name
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
ca. 1915
Creation Start Date:
1913
Creation End Date:
1917
Materials and Techniques:
Ivory, polychrome wood
Classification Term:
Aerophone/side-blown trumpet
Dimensions:
L. 55 in. (139.5 cm); Max. Diam. 8 1/4 in. (20.8 cm)
AMICA Contributor:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location:
New York, New York, USA
ID Number:
1992.326
Credit Line:
Purchase, Rogers Fund, Roger L. Stevens Family Fund Gift, Gift of Herbert J. Harris and Brian and Ann Todes, by exchange, Kay T. Krechmer Bequest, in memory of her husband, Harold H. Krechmer, and funds from various donors, 1992
Context:
This type of side-blown trumpet, produced for various nkumu (leaders), was originally used in battle. Today it is employed to add prestige to such ceremonies as the investiture or marriage of a nkumu, the birth of twins, or the propitiation of hunting and planting spirits. The faceted elephant tusk with a raised diamond-shaped mouthpiece on the concave side is typical of many Congolese trumpets. A flanged wood extension, painted with black-and-white stripes and checks, is similar in shape to the headpieces worn by Ekonda leaders. This form, characteristic of royal motifs at the turn of the century, also appears on special drums and rhythm-keeping stamping sticks.
Related Image Identifier Link:
MMA_.mi1992.326.R.tif
