Very beautiful and rare Mangbettu slot drum from the Republic of Congo. Of exceptional quality because of its complication in the carving and the placement of the tapestry nails. This drum is a particularly interesting example because of its general shape, the regularity of the nailed decoration and the details of the two ends of the part used to pass the carrying strap made of braided fibres. 

Probably an orchestra drum, part of a royal court or at least of a high ranking dignitary. Beautiful light and dark caramel patina, very few examples of this style are known. 

Provenance : 

• A very long time in a French collection. 
• Richard Vinatier Collection

Bibliography : 

• L'art tribal d'Afrique Noire, Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, edition Assouline 1998, page 140, photo n°2. 

It can also be compared to another drum of the same type and very close: 

• Christie's sale 3/12/2020 "l'Univers des formes", lot n°67, having belonged to the Entwistle gallery, Ambre Congo, Pierre Loos and Thomas Payet.