Vintage West African Ritual Bell

Updated August 25, 2026

Distinctive vintage West African figural ritual bell, cast in bronze or brass and displaying design elements reminiscent of traditional Benin and Yoruba metalwork from Nigeria. The bell features a striking anthropomorphic face modeled in relief on the body, along with a small standing human figure at the top serving as the handle or finial. The cast metal surface displays a dark, naturally aged patina with variations in tone and texture that give the piece considerable visual character. Its figural imagery, sculptural construction, and bell form reflect artistic traditions commonly associated with West African ceremonial objects, ritual bells, tribal art, and traditional African bronze and brass casting. An intriguing decorative and collectible piece for enthusiasts of African art, Nigerian metalwork, Benin-style bronze, Yoruba-inspired artifacts, figural bells, ethnographic art, ritual objects, antique-style brass and bronze, and West African sculpture. Exact age, cultural origin, and specific tribal attribution have not been independently verified. Measures approximately 6.5" tall. See photos for more details.

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