Edo State, Nigeria
Edo

Bronze
Early 20th century
Length: 9.5 inches; Width: 2.7 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Concussion

In Benin City, craft workers were organized into groups known as guilds. There were guilds for wood carvers, ivory carvers, leather workers, blacksmiths, and weavers. Most important of all was the brass casters’ guild. They were only allowed to work for the Oba (king).  People believed that brass had the power to drive away evil. It was so special that it could only be used in the royal court. The palace walls were covered with plaques made from brass and it was used to make figures and heads for the royal altars.  These Benin Bronze Clappers of the Edo culture are shaped in a paddle or leaf form. There are five mask images on each leaf, plus a mask face image on each handle.  Some of the faces show specific scarification markings, to denote specific individuals.