Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Lot 101

Chokwe Anthropomorphic Drum, Angola

13 November 2018, 11:00 EST
New York

US$15,000 - US$20,000

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our African and Oceanic Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Chokwe Anthropomorphic Drum, Angola

ngoma
height 28 5/8in (72.7cm)

Provenance
Portuguese Private Collection
Sotheby's, New York, November 24, 1992, Lot 146
American Private Collection

Drums were used by the orchestra which played at rituals and dances; the powerful, lively and rhythmic music could be heard from afar (Bastin, Marie-Louise, Musical Instruments - Songs and Dances of the Chokwe, "African Music," Vol. 7, No. 2 (1992), p. 26). This handsomely carved example is of inverted conical shape with a small bulge resting on rounded metal fitting at the base; the cylindrical body anthropomorphized with two breasts and decorated with inset metal tacks; an attached hide from domesticated goat stretched across the top for the beating surface, another band wrapped around the body just underneath; a lug on the back for a sling to wear around the performer's waist; rich, medium brown surface with wear to surface indicative of much cultural use.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

PERSONNAGE GUERRERO EN SERPENTINE Mexique, Culture du Guerrero, influence Olmèque, 350-100 av. J.C.

TÊTE HACHA VERACRUZ EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Veracruz, Période classique, 450-750 ap. J.C.

MASQUE ANTHROPOZOOMORPHE EN COQUILLAGE Mexique, Culture Maya, Période classique, 450-750 ap. J.C.

TÊTE EN STUC MAYA Mexique, Culture Maya, région du Yucatan, Période classique, 500-900 ap. J.C

VASE MAYA CYLINDRIQUE EN TERRE CUITE Mexique, Culture Maya, Période préclassique, 500-900 ap. J.C.

PERSONNAGE DEBOUT EN TERRE CUITE COLIMA Mexique, El Chanal-Colima, Période postclassique, 900-1521 ap. J.C.

STATUE AZTÈQUE DE CHALCHIUHTLICUE, DÉESSE DE LA FERTILITÉ, EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Aztèque (ou Mexica), 1400-1520 ap. J.C.

STATUETTE AZTÈQUE DE XIPE TOTEC EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Aztèque (ou Mexica), 1400-1520 ap. J.C.

MASQUE FUNÉRAIRE CHANCAY EN BOIS Pérou, Culture Chancay, 1100-1450 ap. J.C.

URNE FUNÉRAIRE CALCHAQUÍ EN TERRE CUITE Argentine, Style Santa Maria, Vallées de Santa María et Calchaquí, Diaguita-Calchaquí, Époque tardive, 1000-1400 ap. J.C.

VASE NICOYA REPRÉSENTANT UN JAGUAR EN TERRE CUITE Costa Rica, Culture Guanacaste, Civilisation Chorotega, ca. XIIe siècle ap. J.C.

Fine Ceremonial Scarf, South Sumatra circa 1910 silk, framed78 x 36 1/4in (198.1 x 92cm)ProvenanceEuropean Private Collection