Cochiti Pueblo Tall Double Headed Wooden Drum with Drumstick by Marcello Quintana [SOLD]

This Cochiti Pueblo wood drum appears to be from a cottonwood tree trunk and the heads from cowhide. Those are traditional materials for drums. The dark outlines on the edges of the drumheads appear to be burned onto the hide, not painted on.  It was made by award winning artist Marcello Quintana.

Painted and unpainted drums of all sizes are used in pueblo ceremonies. Pueblos that do not have a drum maker will procure through purchase or trade, drums from another pueblo known for making drums. The drum suggests the thunder that comes with rain. The drum has two heads. Pueblo songs are written to start slowly and then go to a climax. At a certain point of the song, the drum is flipped over to achieve a higher beat. This lifts the dancers and gives them the impetus to continue dancing.

It has been my understanding that painted drums are a product of Cochiti Pueblo and unpainted drums are from Taos Pueblo. Apparently that is not always the case, as this drum was made by a Cochiti drum maker and it is not painted. It is large and heavy so is not one made to be held by a drummer during a plaza dance, but one to be rested on the ground while in use. It does have the two handles like drums meant to be held but I cannot imagine a drummer holding this for any length of time.

The date and identity of the maker (unknown to us) is written on the side of the drum:
Marcello Quintana, Cochiti Pueblo, N Mex March 30 1969

Condition: this Cochiti Pueblo Tall Double Headed Wooden Drum with Drumstick by Marcello Quintana is in new condition although probably from the mid-twentieth century based on the provenance.

Provenance: from the collection of Dr. Florence Hawley Ellis of Albuquerque, passed to her daughter and then to her granddaughter, the current owner. Florence Hawley Ellis (1906–1991) worked as both an ethnologist and archaeologist teaching at the University of New Mexico in 1934, teaching courses on archaeology and cultural anthropology until her retirement in 1971.

Artist image: Marcello Quintana painting drums. Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico, 1936. [Maxwell Museum via flicker 87_45_820]

Relative Links: Pueblo Drums, Taos Pueblo