Thumb piano
Object
Thumb piano
Object number
2000.21
Physical Description
This thumb piano has been made out of a hollowed out light brown gourd. A gourd is a vegetable in the same family as the pumpkin. The half sphere body provides sound resonance and a carved wooden 'lid' has been fixed to the top with four nails. The gourd wood is 30mm thick and supports the flat iron sticks mounted on top and fixed in place with wire. These iron sticks can be plucked with the thumb to create a melody. The name 'BACY' written on the upper rim may refer to a former owner.
Material
Gourd
Metal
Chord / string / thread
Dimension
height (Whole): 150mm
diameter (whole): 300mm
diameter (whole): 300mm
Exhibition Label
Thumb Piano, Nigeria
This thumb piano is made out of a hollowed out light brown gourd, a vegetable in the same family as the pumpkin. It has a half sphere body and a carved wooden ‘lid’, fixed to the top with four nails. These metal tines can be plucked with the thumb to create a melody.
Being African in Hackney: 1960s-2020s
14 September 2021 to 14 February 2022
This thumb piano is made out of a hollowed out light brown gourd, a vegetable in the same family as the pumpkin. It has a half sphere body and a carved wooden ‘lid’, fixed to the top with four nails. These metal tines can be plucked with the thumb to create a melody.
Being African in Hackney: 1960s-2020s
14 September 2021 to 14 February 2022
On display?
No