Drum (Garamut)

MEDIUM Wood, coir, pigment

Place Made: East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

DATES 19th century

DIMENSIONS 17 x 55 x 8 3/4 in. (43.2 x 139.7 x 22.2 cm)  (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Pacific Islands

ACCESSION NUMBER 52.126a-c

CREDIT LINE Carll H. de Silver Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A light brown wooden drum of the horizontal slit gong type resting on two carved separate rests. The drum is decorated with relief carvings on both sides and two separate handles. White lime is rubbed into the background of the reliefs, making the raised brown wood portions stand out in contract. One side of the drum has the rectangular area banded by a meandering line ending in a scroll at the top and the bottom with rows of circles along the sides. Within this large area are two smaller rectangular areas. Horizontal concentric ovals center these smaller panels with a dotted triangle above and below them. At the sides of the triangles are tows of a rake-like design: left side: 6 each above and 8 & 7 below, right side: 4 & 5 above and 7 each below. The main panel is divided by a vertical pattern of concentric ovals with two large wing-like scrolls radiating from it. A row of smaller opposing scrolls and rows of larger and more varied scrolls above completes the design. One side also has the large rectangular panel bounded by a meandering line above and below and a row of circles at each side. Within each smaller rectangular area are two L-shaped opposing curving patterns: one side with a row of dots in the top left and zigzagging line in the lower left. The other side has a row of dots in the top left and a solid form in the lower left. The main panel is divided by a vertical pattern of concentric ovals. At either side are two large opposing wing-like scrolls. A row of opposing scrolls below and two large opposing scrolls with a long triangular pattern in back of each containing 8 rake-like designs on the right side, and 6 on the left side completes the patterns. One handle is carved as a full male figure in the round. A snake form is attached to his back and comes over the top of his head. There is a triangular forehead and brown ridge with eyes of concentric circles having traces of red paint, and a hooked nose, which is attached to the stomach. His hands rest on his knees which are flexed. The ears have pierced earlobes. Some cord wrappings remain around the figure. One handle is carved as the head and torso of a woman. She has an attached- outside spine for cord wrappings like the other handle. A headdress is shown above the triangular forehead and brown ridge, and hooked nose. The septum on both the male and female figures is pierced. The eyes and mouth are made up of concentric ovals. The resting hands are on the drum as no legs are clearly indicated. Braided cord wrappings remain. 52.126A: A drum rest carved as two opposing wooden masks separated by a gouged wedge for the drum's support. The triangular forehead and browridge patches are shown. Two tilted concentric ovals form the eyes beneath over-hanging brows. The nose is continuous with the forehead and is hooked with a pierced septum. A notched ridge surrounds the entire mask. Both masks are the same type only one is darker in color. 52.126B: A second drum rest carved as two opposing wooden masks separated by a gouged wedge for the drum's support. It is slightly narrower than the rest. It also has the same type of masks. The triangular foreheads and browridges are shown with continuous noses which are hooked with pierced septums. The oval tilted eyes and mouth are formed by concentric ovals. A notched ridge surrounds the faces. The shape of the masks is more triangular. Traces of red paint and lime remain around the eyes.

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Drum (Garamut), 19th century. Wood, coir, pigment, 17 x 55 x 8 3/4 in. (43.2 x 139.7 x 22.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 52.126a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.126a-c_acetate_bw.jpg)

IMAGE threequarter, 52.126a-c_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

RECORD COMPLETENESS