Old PNG Painted Kundu / Hand Drum

DESCRIPTION

- Wooden hourglass-shaped hand drum (“Kundu”); carefully hand-carved drum body from light-weight softwood; painted black

- Original skin (possibly cuscus/possum skin) is intact, and still attached with elaborate cane lacing

DIMENSIONS

58 x 18 x 18 cm / 23 x 7 x 7 inch

1.9 kg

CONDITION

Fair condition

- Small perforation in drum skin

- Piece of drum body missing from near base; a crack near base

AGE

Unknown - likely from 1960s

GENERAL

“Kundu” is the commonly-used name for PNG hourglass drums. These portable hand drums are played, by the dancer or other musician, with one hand - while held with other hand or across lap.

Used extensively to accompany dancers at festive and ceremonial events.

Shape, size, decoration etc of drums vary throughout PNG - most areas have their own distinct style of kundu.