(5) Set of African Ceremonial Instruments

Set of African ceremonial instruments. a) clapper made of hollowed tusk with wooden rod and leather hanger; b) tusk hung on twisted cloth rope with knotted rag fringe, tooth protruding from base; c) hollow wooden clapper with exterior carving of eyelids and white markings, grass fringe and hanger; d) double sided drum with leather skin, grass bindings and carved wooden handle; e) wooden ladle with giraffe head stem and large, triangular ladle bowl. Carved decoration on exterior to emphasize texture of giraffe neck and to decorate bowl.

Dimensions are: smallest - c) 9 in (22.8 cm) long with fringe X 5 in (12.7 cm) diameter at base; largest - d) 26 in (66.4 cm) long with handle X 13 1/2 in (34.3 cm) diameter. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: a) leather hanger shows some use or age wear; b) staining of tooth and rag fringe; c) fraying and bending of grass fringe, writing in white on interior possibly S Z (no crossbar) Z (with crossbar); d) drum skin has come loose and body warped in small places, age wear along perimeter of drum where skin meets wood; e) some staining around outside of bowl and wear along ridge of stem.

Provenance: From a Washington, DC collection.