West African Slit Drum with Natural Skin Head and Hollow Resonance Body, Late 19th–Early 20th Century
Original price was: € 850,00.€ 300,00Current price is: € 300,00.
An authentic West African slit drum, hand-carved from a single log with deep vertical openings and a natural animal-skin drumhead. Showing pronounced surface erosion, rich patina, and visible adze tool marks, this late 19th–early 20th century piece served for both ritual music and long-distance communication in a traditional village setting.
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This rare and early West African slit drum, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, is a remarkable example of ethnographic craftsmanship. Entirely hand-carved from a dense hardwood trunk, it functioned as both a percussion instrument and a “talking drum” used to transmit rhythmic messages across great distances.
The elongated, hollowed cylindrical body features two large rectangular resonance openings that amplify the drum’s tone, while the top is covered with a hand-stretched animal hide, still secured with rawhide lacing. The surface bears unmistakable signs of age and ritual use, including insect erosion, natural cracking, deep oxidation, and a darkened, time-worn patina consistent with prolonged outdoor exposure.
Unlike mid-20th century decorative reproductions, this piece retains primitive adze marks, organic asymmetry, and weathered texture, testifying to its authentic origin. It was later mounted on a simple wooden base for display, but remains structurally stable and visually powerful as a sculptural object.
Comparable late 19th-century African slit drums are preserved in major ethnographic museum collections, where they are valued as both functional communication devices and important cultural artifacts.
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Region: West Africa (likely Nigeria, Benin, or Côte d’Ivoire)
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Period: Late 19th–Early 20th century (circa 1880–1920)
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Material: Hand-carved hardwood, natural animal skin, and rawhide lacing
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Dimensions: Approx. H 65 cm x W 30 cm x D 30 cm (with base)
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