Context (CMS Context)
Bought by actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones during filming for BBC documentary 'Hidden Treasure of Australian Art, shown on BBC2, 25 Feb 2011. (The series also looked at N.E. India and W. Africa (Dogon). Jones noted that the drum was purchased in the island supermarket on Badu, and had been bought over by a party from Papua New Guinea as part of an island trading agreement, with several other things. They had sold their goods themselves and returned to New Guinea, leaving the heavier stuff behind.
Event Date 16/6/2011
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Wooden buruburu drum, with reptile skin membrane, with wax nodules to assist in tuning. Blackened, ?varnished, surface with band of alternating light and black triangles, repeated at base with large isosceles triangles and diamonds. The lighter surface is achieved by removing the upper surface. band of cane wrapped blue cotton cloth to help secure the skin membrane. Handle at side. Condition: Good, but cracks in base and upper portion of handle- fragile. The cloth band at the top is moveable and the glues which previously held it in place have dried out
Event Date 16/6/2011
Author: maa