Lot 62
Southeast Asia, Burma (Myanmar), ca. An impressive bronze drum known as a "Karen Rain Drum" with dense decorations and rich iconography with zoomorphic forms. The outstanding instrument features a circular tympanum engraved with repeating registers of stylized fish, birds, and geometric patterns, and a star / sunburst at the center. Along the seam on the body are protruding elephants and mating frogs on the tympanum. The drum creates a pleasant sound when the tympanum is lightly tapped and must have been impressive when struck with a mallet- this piece would be a beautiful table with the addition of a glass top! Size: 23" Diameter x 18" H (58.4 cm x 45.7 cm)
Drums like this example are sometimes referred to as frog drums (as frogs are oftentimes associated with rain) and have been used in Southeast Asian cultural rituals for hundreds of years. In particular, the Karen people of Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar) have used such drums in funerary rituals to assist the deceased as they journey to the afterlife and in ceremonies to inspire spirits to bring about rainfall, hence the name Karen Rain Drum. Such bronze drum forms originated with the Bronze Age Dong Son culture of ancient northern Vietnam during the later period of the Hong Bang Dynasty. Today these drums are highly valued by the Karen people of Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar). The strap handles would have suspended the drum from a frame or tree limb with the tympanum facing horizontally outward at a 45 degree angle, and a padded mallet was used to strike the drum.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Mark Spiegel estate, Park Avenue, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#175700
- Condition: Restoration and repairs to tympanum, body and base rim, over 95% original material. Some softening to etched motifs and surface abrasions and indentations commensurate with age, exposure to elements, and use. Heavy patina and mineral deposits throughout.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |