Ceremonial bronze bell, probably cast in 18th century by The Brass Casters Guild (Iguneromwan) for a Benin court alter, a twin to one in British Museum collected by British punativeexpeditionin 1897. Quadrangular form, open at bottom, tapering to square flat top with central hole and two-inch loop handle bearing wavy serpent-like raised design between four raised ribs; side panels outlined by raised rope-like edging, the back panel with circular hole at bottom undecorated; the lattice-like reticulated side panels bearing three raised mudfish (symbol of kingship) designs, one above the other, with prominent eyes and looped bodies; the front panel bearing two mudfish above and below a Benin Oba face within an oval rope-like border, having broad nose and mouth, wide eyes, and crown-like coiffure. Dark brown patination, mud-brown incrustation; offering short, low sound when struck.
January, 1987, collected in Nigeria and acquired by Charles Davis, Davis Gallery, New Orleans; February, 1987, sold by Charles Davis to William and Bertha Teel, Marblehead, MA; 2014, bequest of William Teel to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 26, 2014)