Bamoun, Cameroon, royal bell, first half of the 20th century.
Like drums and trumpets, large bells are used to gather people together for festive events. They are an emblem of power, like this external clapper bell from the Bamoun kingdom. The iron bell is extended by a bronze human figure. The face is expressive: protruding features, headdress extended backwards, large ears, bulbous eyes, the wide nose surmounting a mouth wide open to the teeth. These facial features are also found among the Ogoni from neighboring Nigeria.
Bronze, iron, fabric, cowries.
H: 46 cm, weight: 2,200 g
Traces of corrosion on the back of the bell. The bronze and iron of the bell are set off by a large red fabric cover adorned with cowrie shells.
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