Lot 115c, Auction 4/12/2026: Papua Wood Kundu Drum Polychrome Geometric Decoration

$520.00

In stock

Oceania, Melanesia, Indonesia / Papua New Guinea, Yos Sudarso Bay (Humbolt Bay), ca. mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden kundu drum of hourglass form, the body finely incised with geometric and curvilinear motifs highlighted in red, yellow, and black pigments. One side retains a projecting loop handle with a remnant fiber cord for suspension. The interior is hollowed to amplify sound, while the wide flaring ends once held a stretched lizard skin membrane to produce the resonant tones distinctive to these ceremonial drums. Size: 5.5″ W x 22″ H (14 cm x 55.9 cm)

Condition: Missing the lizard skin over the ends. Loss to the rim and relief carved vertical nubs along the front. Stable hairline pressure fissures radiating from the openings.

Provenance: private Atlanta, Georgia, USA collection, acquired between 2020-2024

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