A Carved African Ivory Benin Ritual Bell
A Carved African Ivory Benin Ritual Bell . Old dark aged patina
18 th Century
Size : 27 cm long , 4.5 cm dia. – 10½ ins long , 1¾ ins dia.
18 th Century
Size : 27 cm long , 4.5 cm dia. – 10½ ins long , 1¾ ins dia.
These bells were used on royal ancestral altars by priests in their rituals to call up the ancestors at the beginning of the ceremony .
Probably carved by an Edo artist this bell has been hollowed out in order to fix a clapper inside .
Probably carved by an Edo artist this bell has been hollowed out in order to fix a clapper inside .
A Carved African Ivory Benin Ritual Bell
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