Rhythm Pounders stand on a circular base, and were used to pound
the earth, providing the rhythm for a dance in the Lo society.
This was to invoke the spirits of the ancestors, especially at
agricultural ceremonies.
The arms act as handles, and the
rhythm pounders are used to beat down on the ground at a
time when the seeds are being sown, so as to call upon the
earth spirits to help invoke a fertile crop growth, and also
during funeral ceremonies to call upon the earth spirits to
protect the newly buried deceased member of the society.
Whilst $1800 is a lot of money, compare this against the very similar one that Sothebys auctioned a few yers ago that fetched over US$12 million! Check it out here:https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/lot.48.html/2014/myron-kunin-collection-african-art-n09225
Height: 44" x Width: 9" x Depth: 7" - Height on its 8" square base is 44 1/2"
