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LOT 0115

Exhibited 19th C. Burmese Leaded Bronze Rain Drum

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Southeast Asia, Burma (Myanmar), ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An enticing leaded bronze drum known as a "Karen Rain Drum" with dense decorations and rich iconography with zoomorphic forms. The outstanding instrument features a broad, circular tympanum, a gently corseted body with thin walls surrounding the base, and 2 pairs of strap handles flanking the upper shoulder. Several repeating registers of stylized fish, birds, and geometric patterns adorn the top of the tympanum, and intricate linear motifs are displayed across the exterior of the drum body. The drum creates a pleasant sound when the tympanum is lightly tapped and must have been impressive when struck with a mallet. A fantastic example with rich patina! Size: 18.3" Diameter x 13.6" H (46.5 cm x 34.5 cm)

Drums like this example are sometimes referred to as frog drums (as frogs are oftentimes associated with rain) and have been used in Southeast Asian cultural rituals for hundreds of years. In particular, the Karen people of Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar) have used such drums in funerary rituals to assist the deceased as they journey to the afterlife and in ceremonies to inspire spirits to bring about rainfall, hence the name Karen Rain Drum. Such bronze drum forms originated with the Bronze Age Dong Son culture of ancient northern Vietnam during the later period of the Hong Bang Dynasty. Today these drums are highly valued by the Karen people of Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar). The strap handles would have suspended the drum from a frame or tree limb with the tympanum facing horizontally outward at a 45 degree angle, and a padded mallet was used to strike the drum.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-P. Haig collection, New York, USA; exhibited in 2012 at the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168939
Condition Report: Slight bending to rim of tympanum, base, and handles, with softening to some decorative motifs, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Drum makes pleasing sound when tympanum is struck.

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Time, Location
09 Jan 2022
USA, Louisville, CO
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[ translate ]

Southeast Asia, Burma (Myanmar), ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An enticing leaded bronze drum known as a "Karen Rain Drum" with dense decorations and rich iconography with zoomorphic forms. The outstanding instrument features a broad, circular tympanum, a gently corseted body with thin walls surrounding the base, and 2 pairs of strap handles flanking the upper shoulder. Several repeating registers of stylized fish, birds, and geometric patterns adorn the top of the tympanum, and intricate linear motifs are displayed across the exterior of the drum body. The drum creates a pleasant sound when the tympanum is lightly tapped and must have been impressive when struck with a mallet. A fantastic example with rich patina! Size: 18.3" Diameter x 13.6" H (46.5 cm x 34.5 cm)

Drums like this example are sometimes referred to as frog drums (as frogs are oftentimes associated with rain) and have been used in Southeast Asian cultural rituals for hundreds of years. In particular, the Karen people of Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar) have used such drums in funerary rituals to assist the deceased as they journey to the afterlife and in ceremonies to inspire spirits to bring about rainfall, hence the name Karen Rain Drum. Such bronze drum forms originated with the Bronze Age Dong Son culture of ancient northern Vietnam during the later period of the Hong Bang Dynasty. Today these drums are highly valued by the Karen people of Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar). The strap handles would have suspended the drum from a frame or tree limb with the tympanum facing horizontally outward at a 45 degree angle, and a padded mallet was used to strike the drum.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-P. Haig collection, New York, USA; exhibited in 2012 at the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168939
Condition Report: Slight bending to rim of tympanum, base, and handles, with softening to some decorative motifs, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Drum makes pleasing sound when tympanum is struck.

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Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
09 Jan 2022
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock