Algerian Darbuka Drum Polychrome and Gold Decorated Terracotta 19th Century

Stunning late 18th / early 19th century Algerian Darbuka drum, hand crafted in terracotta and adorned with incredible Islamic and Algerian decoration in golds and polychrome colours. Small areas of cracking to the terracotta under the base.

The Darbuka origins trace back to three percussion instruments played in the Arab world during the Middle Ages: Darij, Kuba and Kabar. Many iconographic elements testify to the existence of these instrument in ancient Egypt, from the Middle Kingdom, as well as Babylon, with "drums to drink" (approx 1100 BC), and even in Sumerian cultures.

The Mesopotamian, Anatolian and central Asian civilizations also played similar instruments. Drums with its current goblet shape have also been found in Spain, a legacy of the Al Andalus period, during which the southern region of the country was ruled by Muslims from 711 to 1492.

Traditionally, the body of the Darbuka was made from materials like clay, wood or occasionally, metal, and the head was made from fish skin or goat skin stretched over the top rim. 

This Algerian Darbuka Drum bears time worn and centuries old patina, sublime. 

Height 40 cm, Width 22 cm

Opening at top 13 cm Base 17 cm

All our items are genuine antique/vintage pieces and therefore can have some signs of age related use or wear, this adds to the character and uniqueness of each of them.

 We try to give accurate measurements wherever possible, however where items are unusual shapes pls trust our approx dimensions to be as close as possible.