Small Drum with Two-Figure Handle #14

All the items that are listed here are vintage from the 1980s so they are not in absolute MINT condition. They are second-hand and come with wear commensurate with age and having sat in the jungle for a long time. Please refer to the photos for detailed item descriptions.

This is a hardwood (generally called ironwood) drum from the late 1980s (purchased in 1989 in Agats, Papua, Indonesia). It is 41 centimeters (16 inches) in height. The wood color is brown of various shades, partially darkened due to age and smoke. The monitor lizard drumhead is still intact along with the rattan band that helps to hold it in place. The two figures that make up the handle appear to be a man and a woman (the bottom figure is clearly a woman, the top figure may be a male, but has no penis). There is a slight chip on the bottom of the drum (clearly seen in the photos); other than that there are no cracks. This drum is in excellent shape.

Drums are made of hardwood and softwood; hardwood drums are generally more recently made. Usually hardwood drums are well-preserved because they are kept in a rack above the fireplaces in the men's house (jeu) where they can remain dry and free from insects that often bore into wood carvings.

Drums are the main musical instrument used by the Asmat; they also have bull roarers, bamboo horns and mouth harps. Crafting a drum is a complicated, time-consuming process. The drums are made from one piece of wood and hollowed out with a digging stick, or, in these days with a metal tool and embers. Precision work is necessary in order to keep the drum from cracking or splitting. The top is covered with the skin from a monitor lizard, and sealed with a glue made from blood and lime. It is also held in place with a band of woven rattan. Drums can be tuned using knobs of beeswax and by being held over a fire. Drums are usually named after a recently deceased family member.

Price is USD 250 or 3,500.000 Indonesian Rupiah. Reasonable offers will be considered.