Frog drum / Rain drum (Heger Type III)
Karen culture, Burma (Myanmar), 8-rayed sun, 18th / early 19th century
height: 35 cm / 13.8 in
diameter: 49,8 cm / 19.6 in
A rare example of an antique Karen culture rain drum with one-frog tympanum, finely cast in bronze.
A 9 cm crack appears on the wall (please see detailed pictures), apart from that good condition with wear and tear commensurate with the great age, regular use, tradition and history.
It's a remarkable rare piece of Burmese and Karen tradition and history.
Important sources and auction results - linked below - confirm the value of this rare Karen frog drum.
Perspex stand inclusive.
references:
For bronze drums please browse: https://issuu.com/opiumweights/docs/bronze-drums-of-southeast-asia
Please see a very similar drum at The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/505332
The Karen drums of Burma, 1995, Richard M. Cooler
Arts of Asia, Sept.-Oct. 1983, Sylvia Fraser-Lu
Arts of Asia, Jan.-Feb. 1975, Roxanne M. Brown
cf. Christie's Sale 11422, 21 March, 2015, Lot 1011 (32'500 USD)
cf. Christie's Sale 7639, 11 December 2012, Lot 7639 (2'250 GBP)
cf. Christie's Sale 2640, 20 March 2012, Lot 179 (10'000 USD)
cf. Christie's Sale 5065, 1 March 2011, Lot 8 (3'750 GBP)
cf. Christie's Sale 2016, 9 August 2011, Lot 137 (3'058 USD)