Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Delta Blues








Circa 1920's - 1930's folk art steel lap guitar. Stylized notes are painted on the face. Found in an African American estate in Chicago.

Available at Anonymous Works.

1 comment:

Dull Tool Dim Bulb said...

That is a considerable piece Joey. Indeed, I do believe it is an African-American Diddly Bow, and was quite likely originally strung with wire from a window screen! The list of prominent early bluesmen who started on a one-stringer. The only other thing it COULD be is a primitive version of a "hawaiian" music instrument, which was popular slightly later, but I sure don't think so. I had at one time over 25 southern diddly bows and cigarbox instruments, but I never saw on with the notes penned on. Quite a thing. Raise the price! Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bulb