Featured here is a rare and unique styled horn or flute. The mouthpiece is a carved hole on the top of the instrument. I was told that this musical instrument was hand made from three hippopotamus bone pieces that were attached with wound wire. The bone pieces are all hand carved with faces and geometric designs. They are slightly pitted and show no sign of restoration. Such horns are usually used for ceremonial rites. This instrument came from the estate of an American man who lived in the Kivu region of Congo/Zaire. This horn appears to be old, but I do not know its age. From the style of the carving, I would guess that maybe it came from the Kuba tribe, but this is not verified. It is 17” in length and approximately 3” at the widest part. |