J.F.G. Umlauff was a well-known Hamburg family business founded by Johann Gustav Friederich Umlauff (1833–1889) in 1869 and continued by his son Heinrich Umlauff (1868–1925). Initially run as a natural produce shop and shellfish factory, it later added ethnographic shows and the trade in ethnographic objects to its business portfolio. The acquisition of objects for resale took place (presumably also through intermediaries) via the port of Hamburg. Between 1900 and 1937, the museum acquired a total of six objects from the Kingdom of Benin from the Umlauff company, first by purchase, then later by exchange.
Doppelgong
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 16./17. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von J.F.G. Umlauff, 1900, Inv. Nr. C 2882
Solche in einem Stück gegossenen Doppelgongs wurden und werden bis heute bei Hofzeremonien von Würdenträgern mit einem Stäbchen geschlagen und erzeugen den Klang einer Glocke. Daher werden sie auch oft als solche bezeichnet. Die zwei Kammern erzeugen unterschiedliche Töne. Der König selbst schlägt beim Emobo-Fest eine Elfenbeinversion eines solchen Doppelgongs.
Label Text (eng)
Double Gong
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 16th/17th century / Brass / Acquired from J.F.G. Umlauff, 1900, Inv. no. C 2882
Such double gongs, cast in one piece, were, and still are, struck by dignitaries with a stick during court ceremonies and produce the sound of a bell. Therefore, they are often also named bells. When struck, the two chambers produce different tones. The Oba himself strikes
an ivory version of such a double gong at the Emobo festival.