Southern Nigeria
Yoruba subgroup ‘Ijebu’

Bronze bell / lost wax casting
Early-Mid 20 th Century
Height: 7 inches
Idiophone-Struck Directly – Metal Bell with clapper

A four-sided brass face bell known as ‘Omo,’ created by an artisan of the Ijebu (subgroup) region of the Yoruba people of Southern Nigeria.  A mark of the wearer’s rank and power, the bell would have been displayed by a prominent chief, worn at the left hip by a long sash draped over the right shoulder. Unlike the four-sided Benin Erowo/Eroro bell, the ‘Omo’ bell has a curved opening at the bottom, sharply tapered sides and one side with a featured face. The other sides are plain except for decoration at the base and top. Of particular interest in these dignitary bells, is the application of facial features, cast in two separate steps and then overlaid onto the bell front – obviously executed during the original casting.   This Yoruba face bell ‘Omo’ has an ornate design that shows facial scarification (rope-like with tassels on cheeks with two circles below) and above an ornate finale with a rope design handle.  It retains its original iron clapper.