Cameroon
Tikar

Bronze, fiber, wood, cloth
Early 20th Century
Height: 21.5 in; Width: 7 in; Depth: 5.25 in; Beater length: 12.5 in
Idiophone-Struck Directly – Metal Bell

A Tikar Royal ceremonial gong & tappa from the Republic of Cameroon.  This cast large bronze bell has a rich bronze patina. The body of the gong has a chameleon relief figure on one side and an earth spider with a double-headed serpent motif on the other.  The gong handle consists of a pair of Janus royal ancestral heads with open eyes and mouths with stylized coiffures in high relief. These designs may allude that it was used as a divination tool for finding the truth and was reserved for use by the Tikar king.  The wood bell beater is covered in royal blue and white indigenous fabric and attached by fabric rope to neck of the bell.