Wyoming
Northern Cheyenne

Buffalo-hide, wood, pigment
ca. 19th century 
Diameter: 12.75 in; Depth: 4 in
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones – Drum

A polychrome painted dance drum attributed to the Cheyenne Indians of Wyoming. This drum is comprised of a bent wood frame, Buffalo hide lacing, and stretched and wetted Buffalo hide flats. The drum still has the original hand strap which is still attached. The piece is painted on both sides in faded colors of red and black, which were commonly used by the Cheyenne people of the 19th Century and early Indian Reservation era. The front has a circular border with two thin lines drawn to a circular round spot in the center and the back side has black and red strips.