Owner: HWMC
Catalog#: AF-IDST-031-14
Provenance: Africa Direct
Bells, Metal
Gurunsi Bell - Chameleons
Ghana and Burkina Faso
Gurunsi
Bronze
Mid-20th century
Height: 12.5cm / Length: 11cm / Width: 11cm
Idiophone – Struck Directly
Three chameleon figures adorn this ritual bell from Ghana/Burkina Faso. The Gurunsi, Senufo, Bobo, and Lobi artists used the lost wax method to vary their work of adornments, such as hairpins, pendants, and rings to the ritual bells with complex representations. Among these people, the chameleon is abundantly represented and considered one of the most important animals having spiritual value.