2000+ Years Chinese Bronze Han Frog Rain Drum from Yunnan

About the Item

This exceptionally rare Han Dynasty bronze frog drum, produced in Yunnan, China and dating to approximately 200 BC–200 AD, is a powerful survival from the earliest tradition of ritual bronze drum casting in Asia. Predating the better-known Southeast Asian examples, early Chinese frog drums are extraordinarily scarce, with very few recorded specimens preserved in near-complete condition. This example stands apart as a true museum-quality object. Monumental in scale and presence, the drum features a broad, flat tympanum and a robust cylindrical body encircled by horizontal bands, reflecting the austere yet authoritative aesthetic of early Han ritual bronzes. The surface displays a deeply developed, natural patina built up over two millennia, with oxidation, mineral accretions, and areas of wear consistent with age and ritual use. Unlike many surviving drums—which are often fragmentary—this example retains its essential form intact, greatly enhancing its historical and scholarly value. Early Chinese drums from Yunnan are far rarer than their Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, or Burmese counterparts. A closely comparable example was offered at Christie’s Amsterdam in the 1980s, underscoring the long-standing recognition of this form’s rarity. Objects of this age, scale, and completeness seldom appear on the market, making this a remarkable opportunity to acquire a two-thousand-year-old Chinese ritual bronze of exceptional importance.

Dimensions:
Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Diameter: 26 in (66.04 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Cast,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Unknown
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Ukiah, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 98891stDibs: LU5669248387692