Fang drum, Gabon - Lot 58

Fang drum, Gabon Wood, plant fibers, Height 112 cm- Width 33 cm Provenance : According to oral information from the current owner, former colonial collection from the 1930s French private collection --- Fang Drum , Gabon Wood, vegetable fibres, Height 112 cm- Width 33 cm Provenance : Based on oral information from the current owner, former colonial collection of the 1930s French private collection Among the Fang, dance is not the prerogative of a particular group of individuals, neither in its origins nor in its practice, but is omnipresent in everyone's life. It begins at birth, when mothers and smurs welcome the newborn with songs and rhythmic movements. It follows the individual throughout his or her life, through religious rites, weddings and wakes, and is the final act by which the living integrate the deceased into the category of ancestors. s. In addition to the traditional importance of the songs that are omnipresent during the most important moments of a person's life, the transmission of knowledge, rituals and community stories is also important, and this is where the drum's major importance is fully measured and understood. Inscribed in hardwood with a brown patina and an imposing size, this example stands out for its detailed ornamentation all around the drumhead, alternately engraved or chamfered, with a sword on one side and a lizard on the other. The skin used for tapping and rhythmic chanting has disappeared, but the bat remains, with its simple, rough handle and round perimeter made of interwoven plant fibers forming a ball. The base shows a lack of age. --- Dance, among the Fang, is not the preserve of a particular group of individuals, neither in its origins nor in its practice, it is omnipresent in everyone's life. It begins at birth, when mothers and smurs welcome the newborn with songs and rhythmic movements. It follows the person throughout his life, through religious rites, marriages, vigils, it is the final act by which the living integrate the deceased into the category of ancestors s. To this traditional importance of omnipresent songs during the most important lives, add the transmission of knowledge, rites, stories of the community, it is then that the major importance of the drum is misjudged and fully understood. Inscribed in a hard wood with brown patina, of imposing size, this copy is distinguished by the detail of its ornamentation on the whole circumference of its barrel, alternatively engraved or treated in chamlevé, a sword is represented there. The skin used to tap and rhythm the songs has disappeared here but remains the bat, the rough handle, simple, and the round circumference made of vegetable fibers, intertwined forming a ball. The base has no seniority. The circular base is badly missing. Inside, the beating rattle is still present. Skin missing. Wide, deep cracks on base. Long, deep vertical cracks running from the base, where the skin was placed, to the bottom. Rubbing and wear. --- Big lack on the circular base of the base. Inside is still present rattling. Lacks skin. Large and deep cracks on the base. Long and deep vertical cracks from the base where the skin was placed, down. Friction and wear.