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Ceremonial Bell with Face

19th–early 20th century

Not on view

This circular bell features a heart-shaped face carved in prominent relief at center against a dense field of abstract patterning. The eyes are accentuated with glass inserts, and the open mouth exposes filed teeth. The suspension loop at the summit takes the form of a chameleon. In Kongo society, bells were sounded to announce the arrival of important individuals and to communicate with the spirit world. Such elaborately carved examples were prestige items owned by a chief or priest (nganga).

Ceremonial Bell with Face, Wood, mirror, resin, fiber, Kongo peoples — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Ceremonial Bell with Face, Wood, mirror, resin, fiber, Kongo peoples

Ceremonial Bell with Face, Wood, mirror, resin, fiber, Kongo peoples

Ceremonial Bell with Face, Wood, mirror, resin, fiber, Kongo peoples

Ceremonial Bell with Face, Wood, mirror, resin, fiber, Kongo peoples

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Ceremonial Bell with Face

Date: 19th–early 20th century

Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Republic of the Congo; Cabinda, Angola

Culture: Kongo peoples

Medium: Wood, mirror, resin, fiber

Dimensions: H. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm), W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm), D. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)

Classification: Wood-Musical Instruments

Credit Line: Private collection

The Met

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met

The Met's collection of art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America comprises more than eleven thousand works of art of varied materials and types, representing diverse cultural traditions from as early as 3000 B.C.E. to the present.