Pic of an old Australian drum

kristen

Member
Hey everyone! Just got back from a trip to NY, and thought I would post this pic if anyone is interested. Its from the Austral Islands, early 19th century. It said only about a dozen of the drums are still intact. They are made out of cylinders of hardwood, and the head stretched out sharkskin.

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Sorry, I forgot to say that I took this pic at the Metropolitan Museum. I didn't want anyone to think I bought/stole it. : )
 
A piece of art. What is the height of it?
 
Wow, that's a beauty! Judging by perspective, which is sure to be off - I'd say roughly 6 ft. tall? Did you read anything about the history of these drums? I'll have to do some googling!
 
I guess since it is behind the plexiglass Drum Shield that it must be mic'ed.
 
It was pretty tall, I would say 5'-6'. It also said that they were very highly appreciated as there are eighteenth-century sketches that were discovered by early European explorers in Tahati (400 miles away). They didn't start micing it until the late 20th century though. ; )
 
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