Vintage M. Avalos Signed Painted Rawhide Hand Drum Folk Art Flute Player 7.5\" For Sale

Vintage M. Avalos Signed Fine Folk Art Drum – Hand-Painted Double-Sided Rawhide, 7.5\"

Description:

Offered here is an exceptional, investment-grade piece of vintage Latin American folk art: a double-sided rawhide frame hand drum featuring masterfully executed, hand-painted narratives on both faces. Measuring approximately 7.5 inches in diameter, this highly collectible piece perfectly bridges traditional craftsmanship with fine regional artistry, complete with its original twisted hanging cord for immediate gallery display.

A Study in Contrast: The Dual-Sided Narrative

Unlike common single-sided souvenir pieces, this drum acts as a complete visual storybook, showcasing two beautifully distinct stylistic approaches by the artist:

• The Festival Side (Signed): A vibrant, dynamic depiction of a regional cultural celebration. The artist captures two dancers in traditional festive costume—featuring striking orange shirts, brilliant red capes, and intricate, patterned conical headdresses. This side is clearly hand-signed near the lower rim by the listed artist, \"M. Avalos\" (or Ávalos).

• The Solitary Musician Side: A gorgeous, minimalist counterpoint to the festive crowd. It portrays a lone indigenous performer in a soft, atmospheric haze, incredibly depicted playing the flute and a hoop drum simultaneously. The painting seamlessly blends into the natural, cream-and-tan undertones of the hide, creating a dreamy, cloud-like aesthetic.

Authentic Construction & Provenance:

This piece features a traditional double-sided rawhide head tightly stretched over a bentwood hoop frame. The structure is held under high tension by a classic, heavy-gauge zig-zag rawhide lacing system along the rim, showcasing the historic material techniques of regional artisans.

Sourced in Gallup, NM, as part of multi-state road trip. See our bio for more on how we source.

Condition Report & Curatorial Note (Please Review Photos):

This vintage piece is in excellent decorative condition with beautifully preserved, bright, and stable pigments. In keeping with authentic, aged rawhide and wood of this era, there is a localized age split on the overlapping outer rim flap directly over the wooden lap joint (clearly documented in the close-up images). This is a natural consequence of the wood drying and settling over many decades. It does not affect the primary tension laces or the integrity of either painted face. It is a stable, honest sign of age that confirms the drum\'s authentic vintage provenance.

Sold as-is as a premier piece of curated regional art.