Drum, Abelam People, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea

This ancient stone carved Drum is from the Abelam People in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.  This hourglass shaped drum is often referred to as a Kundu which is the Papua New Guinea pidgin English term for this type of drum.  Old drums like this fine example were family heirlooms often used over several generations of a family.  The larger bottom section of the drum is finely incised with designs of dancing figures going horizontally around the bottom section of the drum. The lug handle and whole drum have a old deep black patina from use and storage in the men’s ceremonial house.  The use of drums are very important to all traditional ceremonies where drumming and singing relate stories of ancient ancestral beings who are invoked for protection & fertility.

Stone Carved and dating from the late 19th Century.

Provenance: ex John Friede Collection NY . The Friede Collection also known as the Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art is now in the De Young Fine Art Museum in San Francisco California

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