Small copper alloy bell with loop handle and clapper. The surface of the bell has a cross-hatch design and spiral element on one side. The clapper is suspended from a piece of wire hung through a hole in the top of the bell.
Elo. A small bell with loop handle and clapper. The surface of the bell has a cross-hatch design and spiral element on one side. The clapper is suspended from a piece of wire hung through a hole in the top of the bell.
The number '12' has been written on the top right of the Thomas Collection label tied to object. The number '538' has been written on the top left of the Thomas Collection label tied to object.
In January 2017, Prof. Marcos Martinon-Torres and Agnese Benzonelli, UCL Institute of Archaeology, tested this idno using a portable XRF as part of a programme of base metal analysis of Benin material. This object was tested twice and the results are as follows: 1) Cu: 73.74%; Zn: 24.22%; Sn: 0.25%; Pb: 1.23%. 2) Cu: 73.77%; Zn: 24.29%; Sn: 0.25%; Pb: 1.26%. It was noted that bells vary in composition and thought not to be standardised and bar a few examples are dated 1800+. It is classed and Riederer alloy H2 and probably from the second half of the 19th century.
Analysis/1
Archaeology
Auction - Sale/0
Auction - Sale/1
CMS Context/0
1st Thomas Catalogue notes numbers 1-249 as "Bini (Benin City)". [R.Hand]