Mahoratuek Drum: The Resounding Echoes of History
‘The Mahoratuek Drum’, also known as the ‘Frog Drum’, is an ancient artifact from the Bronze Age civilizations of Southeast Asia that has deeply influenced Thai culture. Historical evidence reveals that this drum was not used for entertainment purposes but played a significant role in ritual ceremonies.
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It is believed that the origins of the Mahoratuek Drum can be traced back to the Dong Son culture, a prehistoric civilization in Southeast Asia that flourished approximately 2,000 to over 1,000 years before the Common Era. Centered in a village in Thanh Hóa province in northern Vietnam, also known as the Tokin region, this culture was heavily influenced by the Bronze Age civilization of the Shandong Peninsula in southern China. Its cultural reach extended along the Chinese coastline, eventually spreading to northern Vietnam. Evidence of human communities adept at alloying copper and tin to produce bronze tools has been uncovered, marking an advanced stage of development. This knowledge and craftsmanship eventually spread through cultural exchanges with other regions in Southeast Asia.
The Mahoratuek Drum is a standing drum, ranging from medium to large in size, with its drumhead crafted from bronze and adorned with intricate patterns. Most commonly, these designs depict celestial orbits with the sun at the center, while others feature motifs of flocks of birds or processions of figures. At the four corners of the drumhead sit four sculpted frogs. The drum’s uses were varied; it was primarily struck to signal significant events during rituals, often announcing the presence of nobility. Additionally, it played a role in ceremonies related to fertility or rain-making rituals, as suggested by the presence of the frog motif—a symbol of rain since ancient times.
The circular patterns on the drumhead, often arranged in concentric circles with the sun at the center, reflect the profound wisdom of the ancient peoples of Southeast Asia. These early civilizations observed the orbits of the sun and stars—natural phenomena that were closely linked to the agricultural seasons—as well as the relationship between the moon and tidal movements. Such observations laid the foundation for knowledge systems that developed from the natural world, profoundly influencing both fertility of the land and the well-being of the people. The Mahoratuek Drum is thus intricately connected to rituals invoking fertility, a bond that has existed since ancient times in Southeast Asia.
The Mahoratuek Drum holds a prominent place in Thai culture, with references dating back to the pre-Sukhothai period, specially in the legal texts of the Ayutthaya era. Its significance became even more pronounced during the Rattanakosin period, where it played a vital role in royal ceremonies reserved for the king’s exalted status. Notable occasions included the royal celebrations marking the king’s birthday and the ceremonial offerings of water to the royal urn. During these events, the drum would be struck alongside the sonorous sounds of conch shells and the rhythmic beating of victory drums. Additionally, the Mahoratuek Drum was prominently featured in the royal ceremony for changing the regalia of the Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakon (the Emerald Buddha), with the drums positioned at the steps leading to the chapel of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, flanking the entrance to the sacred space to further enhance the ceremonial atmosphere.
Nonetheless, there is still a prevailing hypothesis that this type of drum was originally created for the purpose of summoning rain. It is believed that the croaking of frogs serves as a harbinger of rainfall, which is the origin of its name, ‘Frog Drum’.

Lot 199
A bronze ceremonial rain drum decorated in relief with frog figures on the top
Style: Style: Burmese
Dimensions: W 64.5 cm H 50 cm
Circa: 20th Century
Estimated Price: 10,000 - 15,000 THB
Starting Price: 5,000 THB