Miniature Gong Item Number: 3557/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Slit gong with beater sealed inside a plastic bag; bag is secured shut with a paper manufacturer's label stapled over the opening. Gong has a cylindrical body with protruding triangular handles on either side; three triangular cutouts along top edge of handles. All sides of gong, close to top edge, are decorated with a zigzag; design is burned(?) into surface. Wide "I"-shaped slit runs through top centre of gong; two circular and vertical line designs burned(?) on either side of slit. Long cylindrical beater extends from middle of slit at an angle; beater is undecorated and adhered to gong. Yellow card is inserted into bag, behind gong and beater, with scene of person playing the gong; paragraph of text describes making of gong, and meaning of decorative marks.
Purchased by the donor in 1974-1975, possibly from the Wire Trade store, located on the Catholic Mission in Wewak. The items were made by the Au people of West Sepik province (Sandaun), possibly in Aitape?