RARE 17th Century Bronze Laotian Rain Drum. Free Shipping within the U.S,

Description

Ritual object originally used by the Karen people, its sound believed to please spirits and attract rain. Cast in bronze, the top with concentric bands of decoration and with four stylized frogs, equidistant, and with a tapering body which has double loop handles each side. Height – 18”     Diameter – 24”. These magnificent tables are known as rain drums for both the fertility images depicted in the design and for the unique sound they make when struck by the heavy monsoon rains of Southeast Asia. The drum shapes replicate huge bronze artifacts manufactured over thousands of years by the Dong-son civilization in Southeast Asia. A radiating raised sun pattern in the center of the drum head is surrounded by concentric rings of geometric patterns moving toward the edge. Rare! I've owned this piece since 1985. Free shipping within the U.S. or free pickup after payment.