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Thumb Piano

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Mbira or Sanza Congo Early 20th Century African Tribal Musical Instrument
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Simple, elegant Mbira or Sanza (once known as a thumb piano) of wood with metal from the Congo
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mbira or Sanza Congo Early 20th Century African Tribal Musical Instrument
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Mbira or Sanza (once known as a thumb piano), of carved wood with metal keys. On top is a subtly
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mbira or Sanza Congo Early 20th Century African Tribal Musical Instrument face
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Carved worn wood Mbira or Sanza (once known as a thumb piano) with metal strikers from the early
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

'Singiti' Anchestor Wood Statue, Hemba Culture, Dr Congo, Ca. 1900, Doc. Prov
Located in Basel, BS
-European art comprised around 500 objects with a focus on small bronzes, thumb pianos and textiles, which
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

African Mbira Thumb Piano
Located in Chicago, IL
This rectangular object is a thumb piano from Central Africa, commonly known as a mbira, sanza or
Category

20th Century African Tribal Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood, Bamboo

African Mbira Thumb Piano
African Mbira Thumb Piano
H 3.5 in W 9.5 in D 15.25 in
Large African Shona Thumb Piano
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Old African thumb piano or "sanza" from the Shona people of South Africa composed of wood, iron
Category

Early 20th Century South African Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Mbira or Sanza Congo Early 20th Century African Tribal Musical Instrument
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Mbira or Sanza (once known as a thumb piano), wood with metal keys, with finely incised geometric
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mbira or Sanza Congo Early 20th Century African Tribal Musical Instrument
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Mbira or Sanza (once known as a thumb piano), of carved wood with metal strikers. Under heavy
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Finest Mbira or Sanza Congo Early 20th Century African Tribal Musical Instrument
Located in Santa Fe, NM
century) Mbira or Sanza (once known as a thumb piano), wood with metal strikers, from the Congo, Central
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

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Finding the Right Folk-art for You

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of folk art on 1stDibs.