Kelyaut (frame drum) 19th century

This 19th-century Kelyaut (frame drum) was crafted by a Northern Alaskan Eskimo of the Eskimavan family. Made from animal skin stretched over a wooden frame, this drum is a traditional musical instrument used in ceremonies and social gatherings. The drum's distinctive sound, created by striking the taut skin with a stick or hand, is essential to Inuit musical traditions. The drum is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, a testament to the enduring cultural significance of Inuit art.