Ethiopian masenqo (masinqo) with bow HIGHLIGHTS • Fine Ethiopian single-string bowed instrument • Complete with original bow • Horsehair still preserved on both instrument and bow • Diamond-shaped resonator covered with skin • Beautiful deep old patina • Ex Tekalegn Besepa, Addis Ababa • Rarely found so complete DETAILS Origin: Ethiopia Type: Masenqo / Masinqo Materials: Wood, skin, horsehair, fibre / textile Dimensions: Height: 76 cm Provenance: Ex Tekalegn Besepa, Addis Ababa Period: First half of the 20th century Included: Bow DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION A fine Ethiopian masenqo (also spelled masinqo), distinguished by its elegant proportions, beautiful old patina and especially complete state of preservation. Preserved with its bow and surviving horsehair elements, this is a particularly appealing example of one of Ethiopia’s most characteristic bowed instruments. CONTEXT / TYPOLOGY The masenqo is a single-string Ethiopian spike fiddle, played vertically and used both solo and in ensemble settings. Museum and ethnomusicological sources underline its importance in Ethiopian musical life and confirm the instrument’s broader cultural significance. FORM AND CONSTRUCTION This example follows the classic type, with a long neck rising from a skin-covered resonator. Published descriptions of the instrument note a wooden resonating body covered with rawhide, a single horsehair string and a bowed playing technique. The preservation here of the bow, together with surviving horsehair, greatly strengthens the integrity and desirability of the piece. SURFACE AND PRESENCE The instrument shows a deep, beautifully aged surface, with rich dark tones and reddish highlights. The resonator, neck and bow together create a highly graphic silhouette, while the honest wear remains fully consistent with long use and age. CONDITION Good overall condition. Complete with bow. Horsehair still present on instrument and bow. Minor wear, abrasions and age-related marks. Very limited damage for an object of this type.