Akan, Drum, Ghana - Oct 19, 2018 | Rago Arts And Auction Center In Nj
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AKAN, DRUM, GHANA

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AKAN, DRUM, GHANA
AKAN, DRUM, GHANA
Item Details
Description
20th c.
Carved wood, hide, string
29" x 15" x 10"
Provenance: Allan Stone Collection, New York
Akan refers to an ethnic and linguistic group from West Africa which includes the Fante, Asante and Akuapem, and its culture is most apparent today in Ghana. Master or lead drums such as this kettle-shaped one were the musical and visual focal point of secular Ntan (en-tan) bands that performed on occasions such as naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals and traditional festivals—any event where entertainment was needed. (This is in contrast to other musical instruments and performances that were reserved for the court.) The term ntan does not refer to the drum itself, but rather to the entire event that featured music and the display of carved figurative sculptures representing the chief, queen mother and members of the court. Drums of the ntan bands were thought of in terms of a family, with the master drum being the mother, emphasizing the importance of the traditional matrilineal kinship system. They are characterized by breasts, which are typically found in the center of the drum and objectify the idea of the drum as the mother of the group. The mother nurturing her child alludes to female fecundity and to the importance of the matrilineal line in Akan culture.


References



Dagan, Esther A. Drums: The Heartbeat of Africa. Montreal, Canada: Galerie Amrad African Art Publications, 1993, pg. 28, 102, fig. 45,28.10, ill. Dobney, Jayson Kerr and Strauchen-Scherer, Bradley. Musical Instruments: Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015, pp. 136-137 Ross, Doran, 1984. “The Art of Osei Bonsu,” African Arts, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 28, 40, 90
Condition
Condition reports are rendered as specialist opinion by the staff of the Auction House and/or independent consultants and not as statements of fact. We do not guarantee the content of written or verbal condition reports. The absence of a condition report does not imply that there are no condition issues with the lot. ?? ?Please call us at (609) 397-9374 or e-mail info@ragoarts.com with any questions about this lot at least 24 hours prior to auction.?
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AKAN, DRUM, GHANA

Estimate $800 - $1,200
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Starting Price $400
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