Big slit drum
Papua New Guinea - Lower Ramu River
sold
EUR 10,000
Provenance
collected in situ on Kadovar Island by Peter Hallinan in 1959 (P750)Anthony J.P. Meyer, Paris, France
Lempertz Brussels, 11th June 2011, lot 5
Size
L: 200 cm
H: 45 cm
L: 78.7 inch
H: 17.7 inch
Description
heavy wood, min. remains of red and black pigment, handles in openwork design depicting a composite being of ancestor spirit and crocodile, the two lateral decorative panels are each engraved with two large triangular human faces surrounded by ornamental geometric designs, slightly dam., cracks, paint rubbed off, insect caused missing parts at the bottom, on metal base;
made in Kaian village on the Lower Ramu River, this drum was subsequently purchased by Kaimun of Kadovar Island, who brought it to the village, where it was used in the Men’s House.
Such big slit drums were used both to make sacred music and as means of long-distance communication.