Fon Wood Rhythm Pounder

A handle with a gentle bend, a body like a bottle, and a lot of beat behind it.

This rhythm pounder is Fon, from Togo, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. Across West Africa, pounders like this were struck on the ground to mark rhythm for dance and song, the earth itself serving as the drum. The form is simple: a thick, rounded lower body narrows sharply into a slim neck that curves slightly at the top. The upper grip is polished a warm honey tone, while the lower section is weathered gray with cracks along the grain. It stands on a black base and is 37 inches high.

Percussion with no drum required.