Drum

Iroquois Water Drum

Northeastern Region
Northeast

Leather, cloth, wood
ca. 1800's

Diameter: 7.5 inches, Height: 4 inches

An Iroquoian water drum constructed around an old wooden keg, and wrapped with very old trade cloth. The leather drum heads of these drums were renewed as necessary. This is an old piece, the keg and trade cloth 19th century, though the leather head has been replaced, and is later. The drum here is pictured on pages 127 + 128 in "American Indian Antiques, Art and Artifacts of the Northeast," by Virginia Vidler, 1976, New Jersey, ISBN 0-498-01495-9. The author notes, “The water drum was small, about eight inches across, and was held in one palm while being tapped with a stick in the other hand. It was water tight and the small amount of water in the bottom gave it a soft, vibrant tone.” A metal rim on the keg’s bottom is loose, and the leather drum head is no longer tight. A rare Iroquois Indian artifact. Provenance: Neumann Collection

Owner:
Catalog#: HWMC

"American Indian Antiques, Art and Artifacts of the Northeast," by Virginia Vidler, 1976, New Jersey, ISBN 0-498-01495-9

© Hartenberger World Music Collection