Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. mid 20th century CE. A sleek wooden drum carved from a single piece of hardwood, with repeating zoomorphic figures and geometric motifs down the sides and around the tapered middle, and a curved handle along one side. Earthy red and white pigment highlights the motifs. The general form is of an hourglass with a handle projecting from one side. One end is open while the other is coated with snake skin held in place with woven rattan. This drum style, unique to the Middle Sepik River region, is known as a "water drum", designed to be held by two men side-by-side while the drum is struck against the surface of a body of water to produce a thudding sound. One of the playing surfaces, made of reptile skin, is intact, and the piece has a beautiful brown-black patina that grades darker closer to the other playing surface. The sound that this drum makes when played is often linked to mythical stories such as the sound a supernatural crocodile makes while swallowing. Size: 7.95" W x 30.5" H (20.2 cm x 77.5 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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#154816
Condition
Light wear on surface commensurate with age including chips, nicks, scratches, and some tiny areas of inactive insect damage. The skin is worn from use and is slightly loose. Light wear to pigment with great patina and deposits on surface.