**Originally Listed At $1700** Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A superb drum known as a kundu, created in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, hand-carved from wood with intricate engraved motifs across the body, and a lizard skin stretched across as the beater surface! The slightly hourglass shaped body is hollowed out - making it surprisingly lightweight for travel - and a strap handle is carved into the side for holding with one hand while the other beats the drum. The lower body is decorated with bold incised eye-like motifs that spiral and twist in mesmerizing shapes. The skin head is made from a monitor lizard - this skin is the ideal choice for drums that they are even known as "kundu palai," or "drum lizards." Tree gum or blood from the reptile is often used as an adhesive to ensure the beater head stays in place. In Oceania drums take on countless forms, but the kundu drum is so beloved by the people of Papua New Guinea that it is a featured motif on the country s coat of arms! Size: 5" Diameter x 23.5" H (12.7 cm x 59.7 cm) Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-J.P. Richardson collection, Massachusetts, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #109008品相报告: Lizard skin has a perforation and loss through the top of the beater surface, and drum is not recommended to use due to the potential of tearing the skin further. Skin is still secure and fully attached to wood. Chip to V shaped carving under the beater rim. The rest of the wood is intact and excellent with only minor surface abrasions. Lustrous patina and sharp motifs throughout.