Hugo Warnholtz had residence and/or place of business in Herrengraben in downtown Hamburg. He was an active merchant in West Africa and corresponded with curator Felix von Luschan (1854–1924) in Berlin about the collection he had acquired in Africa. In 1901, he sold a total of six objects from the Kingdom of Benin to the MARKK, including one piece that had originally been part of Oskar Meyer’s private collection.
Altarglocke
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 18./19. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von Hugo Warnholtz, 1901, Inv. Nr. C 2940
In Benin werden Altäre aller Art mit Glocken ausgestattet. Das Läuten einer Altarglocke ruft die Geister herbei, denen geopfert werden soll, und macht sie auf die Lobpreisungen und Bitten derer aufmerksam, die das Ritual eröffnen. Ferner fordert es aufdringliche Geister auf, sich zu entfernen und neutralisiert ihre Macht, sich einzumischen.
Label Text (eng)
Altar Bell
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 18th/19th century / Brass / Acquired from Hugo Warnholtz, 1901, Inv. no. C 2940
In Benin, altars of all kinds are equipped with bells. The ringing of an altar bell summons the spirits to whom a sacrifice is intended, and alerts them to the praises and petitions of those who initiate the ritual. Further, it calls upon intrusive spirits to depart and neutralizes their power to interfere.