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THBEarly 20th C. African Chokwe Wood, Pitch & Hide Drum
Lot 176
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 30, 2018
Set Reminder
2018-08-30 10:00:00
2018-08-30 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities / Asian / Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-3402
Featuring classical antiquities, Asian, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, Asian, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (396)
- Lot Description
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chokwe people, ca. early 20th century CE. A carved, hourglass-shaped, double-skin covered drum with three low, vertical handles. Drums like these are called "mukupela". The surface of the drums were carved in high relief with intricate geometric patterns, concentric circles, and linear designs. This example has wave-like and concentric square patterns alongside less abstract motifs that look like eyes or stylized facial elements, all carved as incised motifs around its upper and lower body. The wood is cikamba, the skin likely from antelope, goat, or sheep. The black patch on the drum surface is made from natural rubber. Size: 10.4" W x 19" H (26.4 cm x 48.3 cm)
Royal mukupela belonged to the chief and were used to send messages to hunters and warriors as well as providing rhythms to accompany dancers during religious and social ceremonies. A seated drummer would place the mukupela horizontally in his lap and strike both heads with the palms of his hands. To tune them, they were held close to a fire to increase the tension in the skin. The shape of the natural rubber also had a major role to play in the pitch of the instrument, and it could be shaped on the fly during a playing session to change the depth of sound produced.
See a similar example from Christie's Paris, June 2009, Lots #317 and #318.
Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection
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.
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#127303Used surface with wear from handling and age, including pitch on drum surface and small losses to the skin where it is nailed in place.Condition
- Shipping Info
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