Figurative Slit Drum - Songye peoples, DRC

Description

Figurative Slit Drum -Songye peoples, DRC
Among the Songye, there are an expansion of figurative styles.  They are typically known for  their (extremely rare vetted) Power Figure Statues and
kifwebe / bifewbe
masquerades.
One of the marvels about sub-Saharan Africa that mystified many early European travelers was the way in which some of the tribes communicated information almost instantly over vast distances.
We know today (of course) about the finely tuned instruments Africans devised to relay messages over these distances, sometimes with drum-scripts so ingenious they came close to a rhythmic mimicking of the human voice.
This slit-drum bears many strong characteristics of KALEBWE works occupying the Tshofa region.
Condition:
(see photos)
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Measures 32 inches tall x 9 inches wide x 8 inches deep.
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Well carved, highly detailed / embellished, and light-weight.
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Age is estimated between 35-40 years.
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There is a stable (vertical crack) repair to the back right-side of the head behind the ear. The right ear lobe also has a small repair because of chipping damage.
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Animal horn on top of the head.
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Includes the drumstick.
Drums are among the most important art forms in Africa, used both as a musical instrument and as a work of sculpture significant in many ceremonial functions, including dance, rituals, story-telling as well as communication.
This is a fantastic sculpted figurative object!
Figurative slit-drums are rarely found on the markets now-a-days!
Shipping costs are affected by package size ... "Dem Weight", so if you think shipping costs are excessive and unreasonable, contact USPS, FED EX / UPS and quote a package 12" x 12" x 36" at approx. 20-25 pounds and see what the actual fees are (especially to NY and East Coast areas) ...
International buyers, shipping costs will be higher.