Monumental Slit Gong / Drum, Ambrym Island, Vanuatu, early 20th c. The towering slit gongs of northern Vanuatu are among the largest musical instruments in the world. They are carved from the trunks of breadfruit trees. In each village, a number of gongs stood at the village dancing ground and were played at major social and religious events. They were also a method of communication between villages and even neighboring islands, as their sound can be heard for miles under the right atmospheric conditions. Provenance: Private Collection of Shirley and David Rowen, Beverly Hills, California. Size: 157'' x 12.5'' x 15'' (399 x 32 x 38 cm).

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