1 of 12

Burmese Bronze Karen Frog Rain Drum

$6,400List Price

About the Item

Burmese Karen Frog drum, a fine large bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond”(Cooler - Developmental Stage VII, Aerial Sequence, Category C three frogs, p.276)*, the Karen subsiding on slash and burn agriculture were rain dependent, and “rain drums” were beaten to bring on the rains for frogs croak prior to rain and the low frequency drum sounds excite the frogs to croak as well, and thus it was believed that the beating of the drum was a call for rain. This lost wax casting of a drum is ornamented with 12 frogs stacked in threes located at four equidistant points on the outer edge of the tympanum in a counter clockwise direction whereas the bottom frogs straddle the two outer bands. The centre of the tympanum is decorated with a crisp 12 pointed relief “star-of-foam”, the star points overlap a ring of rosettes and touch the first set of triple ridges that alternate outward with double ridges, resembling ripples that delineate concentrically the 17 die cast decorated bands in a variety of motifs, starting from the centre, the designs can be identified as tiny raindrops (bands 1,3,7,9,15) radial rays (bands 2, 8, 14), continuous lozenge pattern (bands 4, 10, 16), skyward looking ducks (bands 5, 13), flying birds in flocks of three alternating with sets of three rhomboid lozenges (bands 6, 12), a ring of rosettes (band 11) and the outer band undecorated with the exception of a group of three rosettes between each set of frogs (band 17) ending with one raised ridge and a braided edge. The sides of the drum are similarly decorated with sets of triple ridges alternating with double ridges in 3 zones with 19 die cast bands in between of radial rays, raindrops, continuous lozenge pattern and skyward looking ducks, side double strap braided handles on opposing sides, used to suspend the drum when struck, four relief “seams” equidistant from the placement of the frogs. Under one handle along the seam is a three dimensional procession lead down the side of the drum on a vegetal stalk with curled fronds by a large elephant followed by two smaller elephants, followed by three snail curls decreasing in size headed in the opposite direction. Verdigris greenish bronze patina indicating a high copper content. Evidence of residue relief bosses from the casting rods. Fine casting overall with a slightly pitted tympanum surface and light die cast detail, evidence of interior “tuning”, the medium weight body has one pin hole and a minor small one inch tear near one of the seams, no evidence of restorations, otherwise the overall surface patina is even and consistent with age and use, overall Fine condition. Measuring: 20 inches high x 25 inches in diameter. (51cm x 63.5cm) Weight: 45 lbs. Late 19th century. "The Magic Pond" A Karen Poem: Rains come when frogs croak Birds come when rains come Fish rise when birds come Floods come when fish rise Elephants draw when floods come Timber comes when elephants draw The land prospers when timber comes. Dr. Richard Morrall Cooler, The Karen Bronze Drums of Burma: The Magic Pond, A Thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University in partial fulfillment for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, August 29, 1979.

Dimensions:
Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Diameter: 25 in (63.5 cm)
Style:
Tribal (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Cast
Place of Origin:
Myanmar
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Late 19th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: UH801711stDibs: LU4546214405351

Antique Mid-19th Century Burmese Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burmese Bronze 2-Frog Rain Drum

$4,750

H 17.5 in Dm 21.25 in

Small Burmese Karen 4 Frog Drum, 18th century

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a small bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond” (Cooler - ...

Category

Antique 18th Century Burmese Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Small Burmese Karen 4 Frog Drum, 18th century

$3,800

H 14 in Dm 18.63 in

Southeast Asian Bronze Rain Drum or Drinks Table

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Large and rare Shan style Southeast Asian patinated cast bronze rain drum or frog drum that could serve as a side or drink table. The bronze drum has a taper...

Category

20th Century Southeast Asian Tribal Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Southeast Asian Bronze Rain Drum or Drinks Table

$6,800

H 18.5 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in

Southeast Asian Bronze Rain Drum or Drinks Table

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Patinated bronze Southeast Asian rain drum or frog drum that could also serve as a drinks table. The drum has a tall tapered, waisted form. The drums are typ...

Category

20th Century Southeast Asian Tribal Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Southeast Asian Bronze Rain Drum or Drinks Table

$3,800

H 18 in W 13 in D 13 in

Burmese Four Frog Rain Drum, 18th century

Located in Vienna, AT

Oriental rain drum in bronze, richly decorated with oriental characters and frogs on top. Approx. 1880. Dimensions Height approx. 41.5 cm. Island approx. 56 cm. This type of drum i...

Category

Antique 1880s British Indian Ocean Territory Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Burmese Four Frog Rain Drum, 18th century

$4,980

H 16.54 in Dm 22.05 in

Burmese Karen Frog Drum

Located in Point Richmond, CA

A fine large bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond”(Cooler - Developmental Stage V...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Tribal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Burmese Karen Frog Drum

$7,500

H 19.5 in Dm 27 in

Laotian Style Vintage Bronze Rain Drum with Geometric Motifs and Verde Patina

Located in Yonkers, NY

A small Laotian style bronze rain drum side table from the mid-20th century, with geometric relief motifs and central sun. This small Laotian style bronze rain drum side table from t...

Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Laotian Style Vintage Bronze Rain Drum with Geometric Motifs and Verde Patina

$890

H 11 in Dm 13.25 in

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a fine smaller bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze P...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Burmese Tribal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum

$4,600

H 15.25 in Dm 21.88 in

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a fine bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond”, the Karen ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Tribal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burmese Karen Frog Drum

$6,000

H 18.13 in Dm 24.13 in

South East Asian Bronze Rain Drum w/ Snail and Elephant Accents - Antique

Located in West Palm Beach, US

19th Century Bronze Rain Drum with Snail and Elephant Motifs - Antique Collectible Discover this stunning 19th-century bronze rain drum, a remarkable antique collectible featuring i...

Category