Montana
Great Plains / Assiniboine

Buffalo or deer hide, wood, pigment. iron nails
Prior 20th century 
Length: 11 in
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones – Drum

This wooden frame drum is a square hand drum from the Assiniboine or Yanktonai Lakota people.  The back of the drum has two cords tied together (perpendicular) serving as a handle.  The buffalo or deer skinhead and frame have been attached with iron nails.  This drum shows considerable age and usage.

Frame drums were used to accompany songs and dancing in both secular and sacred context.  The pigment has faded from the top of the drumhead with only slight coloring on the sides.  A wooden drumstick accompanies the drum with woven fiber serving on top as a mallet.