Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Small Burmese Karen 4 Frog Drum, 18th century

About the Item

Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a small bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi  (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond” (Cooler - Developmental Stage IV, Terrestrial sequence. category A, p.201). The Karen subsiding on slash and burn agriculture were rain dependent, and “rain drums” were beaten to bring on the rains for frogs croak prior to rain 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. This lost wax casting of a drum in bronze is ornamented with 4 frogs cast at four equidistant points on the tympanum, the center of which is decorated with an 8 pointed relief “star-of-foam”, having 8 butterfly impressions in the crooks of the star, surrounded by 15 die cast decorated bands in a variety of motifs, which are bordered by raised ridges alternating in patterns of single, double and triple ridges, all concentric to the center, these pond ripples starting from the center can be identified as waves (band 1), chain of grain (bands 2, 4, 12), radial rays (bands 3, 8, 13), floating ducks (band 5), two eyed owls (band 6), double chains of grain (bands 7, 9), 2 peaked wing birds, 2 skeletal fish each with a rosette in between (bands 10 and 11), lozenges (band 14), the final band (15) without decoration having a braided plait edge. The broad frogs in relief have bulging eyes and a ridge back with pointed beaks and they straddle the ridges of bands 12 and 15. The sides of the drum are also decorated with multiple ridges in 3 zones dividing die cast bands of lozenges, radial rays, chains of grain, double chains of grain, waves and feathers. The side double strap handles on opposing sides attached with rows of decorative plaiting and additional circular decoration on the spine of each strap. The handles used to suspend the drum when struck. There are 2 mock relief “seams” equidistant from the handles. Dark bronze patina, with verdigris highlights in the decoration. Measuring: 14 inches high x 18-5/8 inches in diameter.   Weight: 20 lbs. 18th. Century. Provenance: Private Collection, San Diego.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Diameter: 18.63 in (47.33 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Cast
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    18th century
  • Condition:
    Repaired: see condition declaration. Wear consistent with age and use. The tympanum having an edge “chip”, two repaired areas on the body midsection and near the base where the casting was thin, evidence of interior tuning, minor surface wear consistent with age and use, otherwise fine condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Point Richmond, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: TM-UH800611stDibs: LU1778236791882

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Burmese Bronze 2-Frog Rain Drum
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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 o...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Burmese Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Burmese Karen Frog Drum
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A fine large bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi  (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond”(Cooler - Developmental Stage V...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Tribal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a fine smaller bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi  (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze P...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Burmese Tribal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a fine bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi  (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond”, the Karen ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Tribal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burmese Silver Offering Bowl
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A SILVER OFFERING BOWL WITH SCENES FROM THE VIDHURA-PANDITA JATAKA, LOWER BURMA (MYANMAR), DATED 1901. A hammered repoussé Buddhist beggar’s bowl form with high relief  design depicting scenes from the Vidhura-Pandita Jataka on the upper row of cartouches and beneath neat rows of semicircular lappets each depicting various auspicious human and animal forms with scrolling acanthus leaf backgrounds. The overall concept is similar to the layered effect of a Burmese court costume. The circular etched design on the base is of Punnaka astride his magical horse mid-stride holding the white umbrella and Vidhura pleading behind. All surrounded by an inscription, translated as, "Mr Saw Marn's silver bowl. Year 1263 [1901 CE]". Excellent condition. 11 3/4 in. (30 cm) diameter x 5 7/8 in. (15 cm) high. 38 troy oz., 2lbs. 10 oz. (1175 grams). Provenance: The Noble Silver Collection. Bonhams New York, 24 March 2022, The Noble Silver Collection Treasures from the Burmese Silver Age, lot 942. Published: David Owens, Burmese Silver Art: Masterpieces Illuminating Buddhist, Hindu and Mythological Stories of Purpose and Wisdom, 2020, p. 76, no. S81, fig. 3.57. Bonham’s Footnotes: In the Vidhura-Pandita Jataka, the bodhisattva that will later become Gautama Buddha perfects the virtue of truthfulness (sacca), at once a keen perception of the true reality of things and an unwavering commitment to imparting this truth. Reborn as a renowned advisor to a virtuous king, the bodhisattva uses undivided speech throughout the story—even when it puts him in harm's way—thereby preventing disputes among rulers, offering amnesty, and ultimately saving the antagonists who initially conspired to kill him. Burmese Silver Ceremonial Offering Bowls were produced in great numbers, the finely decorated ceremonial offering bowl is the quintessential Burmese silver artwork...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Burmese Other Metalwork

Materials

Silver

Small Betel Nut Box, Maranao, Southern Philippines (Mindanao)
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Small Betel Nut Box, Maranao, Southern Philippines (Mindanao). Bronze with bordered silver inlay design overall of a symmetrical floral tendril vine pattern referred to as “the okir ...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Silver, Bronze

You May Also Like

Burmese Four Frog Rain Drum, 18th century
Located in Vienna, AT
Oriental rain drum in bronze, richly decorated with oriental characters and frogs on top. Approx. 1880. Dimensions Height approx. 41.5 cm. Island approx. 56 cm. This type of drum i...
Category

Antique 1880s British Indian Ocean Territory Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Chinese 18th Century Bronze Vase
Located in Hudson, NY
Chinese 18th century bronze vase with mottled patina. Evidence of a small, old repair.
Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Bronze Mughal Kashmir Samovar
Located in Nottingham, GB
A truly remarkable piece of history, this 18th-century bronze Mughal Kashmir samovar is a stunning testament to the opulence and artistry of Mughal craftsmanship. Intricately designe...
Category

Antique 18th Century Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

18th century quality brass warming pan
Located in Ipswich, GB
18th century quality brass warming pan having a quality 18th century brass warming pan with the original iron handle D. 1770
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Metalwork

Materials

Brass

Bronze Collection Eighteen Luohan Disciples, 18th-19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An extremely rare bronze collection of the eighteen (Archats) Luohan Disciples as adorned in Chinese Buddhist culture. The figures are exceptionally well made and represent the Luoha...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Indian "Bidri Ware" Hookah Base
Located in Middleburg, VA
18th Century Indian "Bidri Ware" Hookah Base. Bidri is a metalworking technique unique to India, which involves inlaying fine geometric and floral patterns in silver, brass, or gold ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Indian Folk Art Metalwork

Materials

Metal, Silver, Brass

Recently Viewed

View All