A fragmentary Benin bronze bell, 16th to 20th century, decorated with crocoldiles, fascial planes and geometric patterns, div. old repairs. TL Analyse on request (250,- Euro)

Akenkua II's, the Oba of Benin, ancestral altars, 1936, unknown photographer

"Brass bells, like rattle-staffs, are an essential feature of Benin ancestralaltars - whether the king, chifs, or wealthy commoners. Several bells are placed along the front of each altar, and they are rung in order to summon the ancestors to hear prayers of thdeir descendants and to partake of the offerings made at the altar. The bells are usually in the form of a truncated, four-sided pyramid, with a straplike handle at the top and a clapper suspended inside. Although bress bells that signal the presence of spirits are found throughout soutern Nigeria, the quadrangular form is unique to Benin.." Kate Ezra, "Royal Art of Benin, The Perls Collection, MET Museum NY, 1992, page 97

sold

Height:
Weight:

Benin, Brass Bell, Pyramidal bells like these were worn by Benin warriors as emblems of prestige and high rank. Mudfish, symbol of the oba (king) and his connection with the seagod Olokun appear in the corners of this lattice work bell and the face of the oba is displayed in the center, source: Metropolitan Museum, NY,