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Antique Burmese Bronze 2-Frog Rain Drum
About the Item
A fine bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen). This unique lost wax casting of a drum is ornamented with 8 frogs with bulging eyes placed in stacks of two at four equidistant points near the edge of the tympanum, the center of which is decorated with a 12 pointed relief “star-of-foam”, encircled by 17 die cast decorated bands in a variety of motifs, which are bordered by raised ripple triple ridges, all concentric to the center, these bands starting from the center can be identified as a continuous zigzag (band 1), raindrops (bands 2,3,8,9,14,15), radial rays (bands 4,10), double chains of grain (band 5), a complex band of “fish filled birds” in sets of three alternating with 2 quarter sectioned lozenges all interspersed by rosettes (band 6,11,12), skyward pinting packed ducks (bands 7,13), lattice (band 16), the final band 17 without decoration except for sets of three rosettes between the upright frogs with a braided ridge edge. The sides of the drum are similarly decorated with triple ridges in 3 zones with a mix of similar die cast bands to the tympanum, side double strap handles on opposing sides, used to suspend the drum when struck, two unadorned relief “seams” equidistant from the handles. Under one of the pair of strap handles is a procession near the base of two elephants, the first larger then the second, followed by two snails.
Condition: Good, Variegated verdigris greenish bronze patina, possible repair or casting flaw just outside the central star on the tympanum, one minor edge crack under the other strap handles near the base, minor surface blemishes to the sides consistent with age and use, overall fine condition and tone.
Measuring: 17.5 inches high overall x 21.25 inches in diameter (54 x 44.5cm).
Weight: 25 lbs. (11340g.)
Mid 19th. Century.
Note:
The Karen tribe subsiding on slash and burn agriculture were rain dependent, and “rain drums” were beaten to bring on the rains for frogs croak prior to rainfall and the low frequency drum sounds excite the frogs to croak as well, and thus it was believed that the beating of the drum was a call for rain. The drums were commissioned by the Karen and made by the bronze foundries in the Shan States in nearby Burma. The drums became a commodity for the Karen as symbols of wealth and prestige.
A Karen Poem:
Rains come when frogs croak
Birds come when rains come
Fish rise when birds come
Floods come when fish rise
Elephants draw when floods come
Timber comes when elephants draw
The land prospers when timber comes.
Provenance: U.S.A. art market.
- Dimensions:Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Diameter: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-19th Century
- Condition:Repaired: Good, Variegated verdigris greenish bronze patina, possible repair or casting flaw just outside the central star on the tympanum, one minor edge crack under the other strap handles near the base, minor surface blemishes to the sides consistent with a. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Point Richmond, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: TM-UH901011stDibs: LU1778241741022
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Provenance:
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Bonhams New York, 24 March 2022, The Noble Silver Collection Treasures from the Burmese Silver Age, lot 942.
Published:
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