Lamellophone, mid 20th century, 8-3/8 x 4-13/16 x 1-7/16 in. ( x x cm), Wood, metal, organic materials, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century, This instrument is properly called a lamellophone, but most people call it something much more evocative: a thumb piano, as its metal keys (the lamelles) are played with the thumbs. Very popular and widespread in traditional Africa, it has been reinvented in urban settings as a large, electronically amplified instrument

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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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