**Originally Listed At $250**

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba people, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A handsome four-sided brass bell that makes a piercing sound when rung. An anthropomorphic face is high on one side and woven, rope-like motifs are cast into the brass around the openwork sections on its sides. The thick, large loop at its top is also decorated with a similar rope-like motif, creating an interesting texture to touch. Bells are associated by the Yoruba with the Oshugbo society which honors community founders. Size: 3.5" W x 7" H (8.9 cm x 17.8 cm)

See a similar example at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art: https://africa.si.edu/collections/view/objects/asitem/People@1384/124/invno-asc?t:state:flow=106b5d26-e05f-4c1e-93e0-2d0d22d6239b

Provenance: Mark Clayton collection, Long Beach, California, USA; Mr. Clayton is a noted African art collector who recently had Nigerian bronze objects from his collection featured in an exhibition at the UCLA Fowler Museum entitled "Summoning the Ancestors" (September 2018 - March 2019).

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#145762

Rich patina on surface. Bell still rings. What looks like a loss to the edge of the loop at the top is actually a casting flaw.