Duff

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Musical Instruments, theDuff* is a captivating example of late 19th-century Indian craftsmanship. This single-headed frame drum, classified as a membranophone measures 58.4 cm (23 in.) in diameter and 8.9 cm (3 1/2 in.) deep, crafted entirely from wood. Its sturdy wooden frame provided the resonance and portability essential for traditional performances, allowing musicians to produce rhythmic beats with a stretched membrane head, often played with the hands. In Indian culture, frame drums like the *Duff* held vital roles in folk, devot...