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Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Alors Island, ca. 19th century CE. A remarkable hourglass-shaped brass drum known as a moko drum, decorated with ribbons of scrolling tendrils that encircle the body. The openwork handles as well as the field of the vessel are decorated with bands of intricate patterns such as ‘beaded’, rope motifs, and cross-hatch motifs perhaps inspired by woven textile patterns. The top of the drum is enclosed with a disk of sheet brass to serve as the tympanum, while the bottom is open. Mokos are still used today for ritual celebrations and as part of the marriage exchange on the island of Alor in the Indonesian archipelago. Traditionally a groom would give a moko to his wife’s family as part of a dowry – and there is an endearing saying in Alor, “No moko, no marriage!” Size: 13.1″ Diameter x 21.3″ H (33.3 cm x 54.1 cm)
Accompanied by the book in which it is published: “Musikinstrumente der Volker: Aussereuropaische Musikinstrumente und Schallgeraete: Systematik und Themenbeispiele” by Alfred Janata (Vienna: Sammlungskatalog des Museums fur Volkerkunde, 1975).
Moko drums were created in East Java from the late 19th century and were used on the Indonesian island of Alor as marriage gift exchanges and also traded for agricultural produce. On occasion, mokos were used as musical instruments for significant events. Older mokos are coveted and thought to house ancestral spirits. Find illustrations of moko drums in (Taylor & Aragon, 1991, p. 218) and Meulenbeld et al (1988, p. 204).
This piece was exhibited in the Museum fur Volkerkunde or Museum of Ethnology (now the Weltmuseum Wien or World Museum Vienna) in Vienna, Austria as part of the “Musikinstrumente der Volker” (“Musical Instruments of the Nations”) exhibition in 1975. It was also published in the catalog of the exhibition in “Musikinstrumente der Volker: Aussereuropaische Musikinstrumente und Schallgeraete: Systematik und Themenbeispiele” by Alfred Janata (Vienna: Sammlungskatalog des Museums fur Volkerkunde, 1975), pp. 26-27, cat. no. 18.
Condition: Chipping to periphery of base and head as well as some light bending to sheet metal of head. Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice presentation, rich patina to surface, and encrustations to interior. Accompanied by the book in which it is published: “Musikinstrumente der Volker: Aussereuropaische Musikinstrumente und Schallgeraete: Systematik und Themenbeispiele” by Alfred Janata (Vienna: Sammlungskatalog des Museums fur Volkerkunde, 1975).
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-J. Ducosin, Hawaii, USA; ex-Olympia Auctions, London, United Kingdom, May 11, 2022, lot 342; ex-H.L Diamond collection, Vienna, Austria
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