This is a truly historic wooden fiddle and bow on museum stand from Western San Carlos Apache Amos Gustina (1858 - 1945) dating to the late-19th century from the ex-collection of David Cook Historic Fine Art and Cameron Trading Post. The piece was handmade by Amos Gustina from the dried stalk of the agave plant including willow, natural Native pigment dye paints, horse hair fibers, woven grass fibers and some cotton string. Fiddle made by removing the agave pith at both ends of the stalk and plugging the holes. The mineral pigment painted surface shows classic Apache geometric designs, consistent with other Amos Gustina pieces with various colors. The top peg is also painted and the bow is present with horse tail hair strands still attached. The painted surface of the field spreads across all sides including the bottom, front, back and sides. The Apache wooden fiddle is known as the Tsii’edo’a’tl, meaning “wood that sings” and is a remarkable example of musical craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Coming from the dried stalk of the agave plant, the fiddle produces the distinctive “ki’zh ki’zh di’hi” buzzing sound cherished in Apache music. Its tonal qualities play an essential role in ceremonial songs, courtship rituals, and social dances, embodying the sonic traditions of the Apache people. Sometimes referred to as a Zither by musical experts. Amos Gustina (1858–1945), known professionally as naltwud/nalsud, was an esteemed Western Apache master woodworker and cultural custodian. Referred to as both Western Apache and San Carlos Apache, he was born in 1858 and spent most of his life at the White Mountain Indian Reservation in Arizona where he learned his wood working mastery. His artwork has been on display and in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian, The Met / Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, Hartenberger World Music Collection, and the Rhode Island School of Design, amongst others. This is on a metal museum stand and overall the entire piece measures as it is seen 21.25-inches tall by 10-inches wide by 9-inches deep. The piece appears to be in good well preserved condition with some loss to the paint but mostly present piece as seen. These fiddles in later form, regularly are offered in the $9,500 range, with this being a fine form, fairly early, and with the bow present. A photo of Amos Gustina with several of his fiddles is shown for reference.