Lot #76: Handmade African Nyatiti / Endongo Lyre — Luo Tribal String Instrument, Kenya

This authentic handmade African stringed lyre is known as a Nyatiti (also referred to as an Endongo), a traditional plucked bowl lute originating from the Luo tribe of Kenya, East Africa. Instruments of this type have long played an important role in storytelling, ceremonial music, and cultural expression. The instrument is constructed entirely from natural materials, including a hardwood frame, a rounded bowl soundbox, and an animal-skin membrane—traditionally cowhide or lizard skin—stretched across the resonator. Multiple strings run from the soundbox upward to a horizontal crossbar (yoke), supported by two vertical arms, creating the distinctive lyre silhouette that is both functional and sculptural. With its visible age, natural patina, and hand-shaped components, this piece carries strong ethnographic character. Today, examples like this are often prized as decorative display pieces or collectible cultural artifacts, valued as much for their visual impact as for their musical heritage. When displayed against a dark background, the earthy textures and raw materials become especially striking. Pickup category timeslot {A}