A Rare Pair of Male and Female Yoruba Drums

Nigeria

Circa 1920

Female (left) 22 inches high x 14 inches wide Male (right) 22 inches high x 13 inches wide

Ex: Eric Robertson, Grove Gallery NY Ex: Joshua Dimondstein, Los Angeles, CA

$ 4,000 the pair

Inv. # A3755

Antique Yoruba drums in the form of male and female human figures were used in ceremonial rituals of chiefs and royalty.  The figures are squatting with block shaped torsos supporting oversized heads.  A membrane of goat hide was stretched across the top of the drumheads, only remnants of the hide are left.  There are seven holes where wooden pegs bound the hide and the figures have a black, white and brown encrusted patina.