Mali
Dogon

Iron
Late 19th-Early 20th century
Length:  10.5 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly  – Metal Bell

A large black iron clapper less bell with aging corrosion.  Possibly from the Dogan people of Mali. These old nonfigurative tribal bells were used for different purposes, such as to initiate funeral processions and ceremonies or to transmit messages to the community.  When used to initiate funeral ceremonies, it was worn by he who precedes the process and strikes it with a iron ring or metal rod.