drum

Double-sided square drum (deff) with an angled wooden frame covered by skin membrane. Skin is tightly stretched all round and sewn along three sides with coated cotton thread. Suspension loop at top centre. Drum is painted with designs in henna; one side of drum has border with floral motifs set within interlocking triangles. Centre of drum has hand design and two opposing snakes above which is a floral pattern. Border on other side of drum has three-lobed leaves in each corner separated by spiral motifs. Centre has mithrab design, flanked by scorpions, fibulae ? in each corner and an inscription: ?.