**Originally Listed At $1200** Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Northern Sumatra, Batak people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a lovely hand-carved wooden instrument known as a hasapi or kachapi, with two strings and no frets. The sound box is an elongated, teardrop shape, with a hollowed-out interior covered with a lighter panel as the soundboard and a raised square bridge. On the verso is a cavity to amplify sound, and the upturned finial on the tip is ornamental and shaped like the prow of a ship; westerners sometimes refer to these as "boat lutes." Atop the neck is a headstock carved as a figure, perhaps meant to represent an ancestor, seated and wearing a rounded cap and incised with linear crosshatching. This instrument was made to be played as part of an intimate ensemble, rather than in front of a large crowd, and often played during a love magic ritual. While lesser known of Indonesia, hasapi are still played, and modernized with electric versions of this traditional instrument. Size: 24" L x 3.5" W (61 cm x 8.9 cm); 25.25" H (64.1 cm) on included custom stand. For a nearly identical piece and more information, please see the Metropolitan Museum of Art website, accession number: 1999.47.44. Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Musical Instrument Museum, Arizona, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #168475品相报告: Strings and pegs are absent. Surface abrasions and chips especially along the body where the strings were. This panel is also not completely flush with rest of body. Old loss to the finial tip on the lower body and surface abrasions and chips to high pointed areas. Smooth and lustrous patina, especially on neck from age and touch.