Description:

Oceania, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. early 20th century CE. A kundu drum carved from a single piece of wood into an hourglass shape with a deeply incised surface. The drum is richly adorned with bold geometric and curvilinear motifs, including star-shaped emblems, serrated scrolls, and interlocking patterns. A handle arches from the waist of the drum, and opposite are projecting lugs pierced for adding a suspension cord. The lizard skin beating surface is missing from this example. Hourglass-shaped kundu drums are used during festivals as accompaniment during dances and ceremonies, carried by a man during performances and is kept in the men's house when not in use. The sound the kundu makes is believed to be spirit voices, and so these drums are played at nearly all religious and community events. In Oceania drums take on countless forms, but the kundu is especially significant and featured in the national emblem of Papua New Guinea! Size: 7.5" W x 23" H (19 cm x 58.4 cm)

Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#195895

  • Condition: Some old chips and abrasions, but otherwise intact and excellent. Nice patina throughout. Missing lizard skin and does not function as a drum.

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August 22, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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