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Hand drum, Em, 20th century
Wood, monitor skin
66 x 17.8 x 17.8 cm (26 x 7 x 7 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.375

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The drum is a precious instrument to the Asmat. It is used at important ceremonial feasts and plays a crucial role in an Asmat myth: it refers to Fumeripits bringing his wooden carvings to life by beating his drum. (See pl. 517 for further information.) Headhunting symbols such as hornbill and cockatoo heads and images of the praying mantis are often carved in the grip of the drums. The animal portrayed here is a crocodile or lizard, which is most unsual. For other examples, and for stylistic variations between drums of various Asmat groups, see Gerbrands, 1967: 204-20; Smidt, 1993: 105-9; and Konrad, Konrad, and Sowada, 2002: 240-54." (Catalog #528, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 176.)

Related Keywords
Em drum Hand Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika people Asmat Oceania Papua West Guinea New Instrument Musical skin monitor Wood 0709200406050133 A365288 L05.1.375 AOA