Three hand drums, called "kundu", particularly patinated, Pa - Lot 320

Three hand drums, called "kundu", particularly patinated, Papua New Guinea. Classical hourglass shape, with a pronounced central part carrying a handle. Although stripped of all ornamentation, the strength of the lines makes a great aesthetic impression on these drums, echoing the creations of contemporary design. The skin is missing. Objects from this geographical area, the Finisterre Mountains, are rare; perhaps collected in the village of Teptep? (See photo 104 "Field Collecting Oceanic Art", Michael Hamson). These drums are museum-quality. Smooth, shiny dark-brown patina. Nankina (?), Finisterre Mountains, Madang and Morobe provinces (Papua New Guinea). Dimensions (from left to right): (a) 55 cm high and 16 cm in diameter, (b) 48 cm high and 14 cm in diameter, (c) 43 cm high and 14 cm in diameter. Estimated dating: Early 20th century (1920s?) Provenance : - Private collection, Nouméa - Previous purchase by Grégory Ronseaux Selective bibliography : - Didier ZANETTE, 100 Kundu papous, DZ Galerie, Nouméa, 2008; p. 26, fig. 3 * On drumming in Papua: Philippe PELTIER (dir), Ombres de Nouvelle-Guinée. Arts de la grande île d'Océanie dans les collections Barbier-Mueller, Somogy, Paris, 2006; pp. 322-351