Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

The Barakat Collection

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Bamum Brass Bell, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Bamum Brass Bell, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Bamum Brass Bell, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Bamum Brass Bell, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Bamum Brass Bell, 20th Century CE

Bamum Brass Bell, 20th Century CE

Brass
15
PF.6040
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBamum%20Brass%20Bell%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E20th%20Century%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EBrass%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E15%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 5 ) Thumbnail of additional image
The sultanate of Bamum is ruled by a single, sacred king, known as the Fon, who resides in the capital Fumban. He is assisted by three officials and seven hereditary...
Read more
The sultanate of Bamum is ruled by a single, sacred king, known as the Fon, who resides in the capital Fumban. He is assisted by three officials and seven hereditary councilors to rule the people. Both the stature and the elaborate adornment of this bell suggest that, if it was not made for the Fon himself, it was a celebrated possession of one of his royal entourage. The detailed decorations, which are generally quite subdued in the art of the Grasslands of Cameroon, consist of a band molded in high relief across the body of the bell and the handle that is crowned by a figurative pair. The band contains a depiction of a bicephalous serpent coiled into a circle and an imposing spider. Both these elements are repeated twice. The band is bordered by two corrugated edges above and below while the interior is filled with a broad diagonal grid pattern. Meanwhile the handle is embellished with two pregnant figures who stand back to back and whose lower bodies merge into the shaft of the handle. Both figures feature large heads with clearly defined features and sinuous bulbous bodies. They each hold instruments of divination including a bowl and a horn, perhaps suggesting that this bell might serve the same function. Perhaps the bell was used to alert or awaken the spirits from this restful slumber in the other world. Clearly such a lovely work of art was the prized treasure of a member of the royal elite.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
12455 
of  28197

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields