Items Similar to Yoruba Omo Bell, c. 1900

Bronze Head of an Oba, Yoruba People, 1950s

Bronze ceremonial jug from Benin (late 19th - early 20th century)

African Kota Mahangwe Reliquary Figure, Carved Wood, 20th Century

'Mbole' knee-shaped coin - Democratic Republic of Congo, Early 20th.

Antique Early 20th Century Dogon Door Lock, Hand-Carved Wood from Mali

19th Century Chinese Iron Bell

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 6

Yoruba Omo Bell, c. 1900

$1,880

£1,425.59

€1,665.56

CA$2,688.29

A$2,729.53

CHF 1,547.32

MX$33,251.45

NOK 18,300.60

SEK 18,305.92

DKK 12,449.81

About the Item

This four-sided brass face bell, known as omo, was created by an artisan of the Ijebu 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. The stylized eyes and nose on this face bell represent the chief's innate wisdom and ability to perceive the human condition, expressions of the chief's inner authority. Elevated on a custom steel stand, the bell's acoustical curves and rich patina now offer a unique sculptural presence.

Dimensions:
Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Width: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Depth: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)
Style:
Tribal (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Metal
Place of Origin:
Nigeria
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1900
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Chicago, IL
Reference Number:
Seller: CAA07981stDibs: LU820018130902

More From This Seller

View All

19th Century Chinese Iron Bell

Located in Chicago, IL

This rustic, 19th century iron bell once pealed in celebration or gave notice of important events in a town in northern China. The shoulder of the bell is adorned with subtle decorat...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Rustic Garden Ornaments

Materials

Iron

Yoruba Osanyin Healing Staff, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

To cure mental and physical ailments, Yoruba priests and diviners invoke the aid of Osanyin, the god of herbal medicines. Used in divination rituals to cure the afflicted, this iron ...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Chinese Wanli-Era Cast Iron Bell

Located in Chicago, IL

A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...

Category

Antique Early 17th Century Chinese Ming Garden Ornaments

Materials

Iron

Petite Tibetan Ritual Bell Handle, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This unusual bronze charm is the handle of a 19th-century ritual bell known as drilbu or ghanta, a ceremonial instrument that accompanies the dorje scepter in Tibetan Buddhist ritual...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Ethiopian Bronze Hanging Coptic Censer, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This sculptural bronze object is a 19th-century liturgical censer, or thurible, used for guided prayer and ritual ceremony within the Coptic O...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Ethiopian Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

African Luba Mboko Vessel, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

Receiving guidance from tribal ancestors was a central aspect of the Luba people's spiritual practices. This ceramic spiritually significant vessel is topped with a crossed leg figure whose head has an opening critical for a divination ritual. Known as an mboko, this handled vessel would have been filled with items like antelope horns, shells, dried beetles, human teeth...

Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Benin Iron Striker Bell

Located in Culver City, CA

An elegant Benin Iron Striker Bell with a double spiral finial on the top, and a lovely bell-shaped body. This is an extremely fine example of the African blacksmiths artistry. Kingd...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century African Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Ethnic design - Iron Bell Currency, Dowayo People, Cameroon

Located in Leuven , BE

Used as forms of currency, they could also serve as a musical or ritual object. Displayed on a custom mount.

Category

Antique 19th Century Cameroonian Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Ethnic Design-Bridal Iron Hoe Currency, Afo Peoples Nigeria

Located in Leuven , BE

Used as forms of currency, they could also serve as a musical or ritual object. Displayed on a custom mount.

Category

Antique 19th Century Nigerian Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Ethnic Design-Bridal Iron Hoe Currency, Afo Peoples Nigeria

Located in Leuven , BE

Used as forms of currency, they could also serve as a musical or ritual object. Displayed on a custom mount.

Category

Antique 19th Century Nigerian Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

A Dogon Tribe Toguna Post from Mali (Mid 20th C.) on Custom Iron Stand

Located in Atlanta, GA

An early to mid-20th century Toguna support post from the Dogon Tribe of Mali, on custom metal stand. This West African hand carved wooden bean was origin...

Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Bronze Head of an Oba, Yoruba People, 1950s

By Yoruba People

Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

A Benin bronze of an Oba. Oba means ruler in the Yoruba language. Wearing a lattice-pattern cap with strands of beads suspended around the head. The neck is bound with a lattice-patt...

Category