Bell, Metal

Benin Bell with Face

Nigeria
Benin

Bronze
ca. Late 19th / Early 20th Century

Height: 5 3/8
Idiophone - Struck Directly - Bell with Clapper

This Benin altar bell is rung by the descendants, in order to summons the ancestor to listen to prayers and share in the offerings. Unique to the Benin Bells is their form of a truncated, four-sided pyramid. The more elaborate the bell, the higher the rank of the ancestor. This Royal Benin Altar Bell, cast in bronze by the lost wax process, shows a stylized face on the front and symbolic markings on other three sides.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-22-4

© Hartenberger World Music Collection