Artifact Number:
2007.022.041
Object:
DRUM
Material:
rosewood, lizard skin, black gum, pigment, lime
Dimensions:
84.9 x 14.0 x 13.1
Origin:
Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Comments:
Long, slender plain-sided drum, carved of hollowed, round rosewood log. Top end cut flat to accept tympanum, drum tapers in ward to slender waist near bottom; flares from waist to two pointed ends defined by high (15.0 cm) graceful arches. At waist, deeply carved and incised designs show traditional spirit motifs; carving encircles drum, extends down to anthropomorphic crocodiles at points. Carving is well done. Tympanum is of lizard skin, secured around rim with black gum; four beads of beeswax grouped at center of skin (for fine tuning). Surface of drum painted black outside and in. Fine raised outlines in carved area also in black, recessed areas decorated with red ochre pigment and lime. Condition fair and stable. Wood shows no cracking. Surface is very worn from use and from weather, much black pigment worn from one side. Both points at bottom are very worn, badly bruised and chipped along edges. Point on one side of drum shows designs with heavy traces of lime, little red pigment, worn black outlines. Second point shows almost no traces of lime, much worn red pigment, worn black outlines. Two small knots in wood on side of drum, near center-top, show fine splits= (0.5-1.5 cm). Some surface dirt; eight thin vertical drips of white paint near top of drum. Tympanum surface is good, intact, well secured. Small separations in skin evident where secured at two sides of rim.
Collection Name: Hintz Collection
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