Description:

West Africa, Cameroon, Grasslands, Bamum or Bamileke people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fabulous wood slit drum carved into a standing man with 2 heads atop the rectangular sound board. The humanoid waist under the drum face is nude, with stout legs that stand on an integral circular plinth. The sides of the drum body are slitted and the interior behind the panels is hollowed out, forming the sound box for the instrument. The protruding heads are decorated with iron rivets and iron support wires in the neck of the left, while the right head has glass beads imbedded in the wood. Drums such as this were used by villages to call and assemble communities and convey warnings or messages. Size: 16" L x 8" W x 41.5" H (40.6 cm x 20.3 cm x 105.4 cm)

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#174424

  • Condition: Old losses to sides as shown from insect activity. Old repairs with nails to cavity on front of drum panel. Abrasions, chips, cavities, pressure fissures. Wear commensurate with age and use, weathering due to exposure to elements. Great patina to wood and iron rivets.

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September 29, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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