Ivory figure striking a bell. This may be the top of a ceremonial staff or flywhisk; alternativey it may be bell itself, for striking with an ivory wand. [presumably LMM 7 1991; JC 6 7 2000]
Research Notes: The Dumas-Egerton Collection, of which this is part, was examined by Hermione Waterfield of Christie's in 1984, and a document, dated 7th December 1984, was produced with the title 'Part of the Nigerian Art Collected by Admiral Sir George Le Cler[c] Egerton on the Benin Expeditionof 1897 on Deposit at Maidstone Museum' (see RDF). The entry for this object reads: 'A Benin flywhisk handle carved with the figure of a gong-striker, plain grip, interlaced ornament carved on the lowest panel which is pierced four times.12 in. long.' [JC 23 1 2002]
Archaological / Ethnographic
Archival documentation ID
Class
Class: Music; Class: Figure; Class: Ritual and Ceremonial; Class: Fan
Collection Type
Object
Related Collections
Related collection: Field diary and photocopy of relevant sections of the collector's personal diary in PRM MS collections.