Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Double Bell (Egogo)

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Double Bell (Egogo)

Elephant ivory ornaments and ceremonial objects are among the most prized possessions in the court of the oba (or king) of Benin. Ivory is valued because the elephant is associated with the "king of the forest" in Bini thought and, traditionally, one tusk from every elephant killed in the kingdom was given to the oba. The white color of ivory was also associated with purity and with Olokun, the god of the sea, who is the oba's equivalent in the spirit world.

Ivory gongs are still carried by the oba on occasions such as the Emobo ceremony, in which the oba annually purifies and strengthens the nation by striking the gong to drive off malevolent spirits. The gong is struck with an ivory wand, but since it makes only a soft, dull sound, a royal retainer walks behind and strikes an iron gong as well.


• Culture: Edo
• Medium: Ivory
• Place Made: Benin, Edo State, Nigeria
• Dates: early 16th century
• Dimensions: 14 1/8 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/4 in. (35.9 x 9.5 x 5.7 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 58.160
• Credit Line: A. Augustus Healy Fund and the Frank L. Babbott Fund
• Image: Overall, 58.160_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Edo. Double Bell (Egogo), early 16th century. Ivory, 14 1/8 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/4 in. (35.9 x 9.5 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, A. Augustus Healy Fund and the Frank L. Babbott Fund, 58.160 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 58.160_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Two bell forms on a long handle; large bell carved eith 3 figures: chief standing with arms upheld by attendants; background is elaborately carved with curved interlocking pattern, small bells or facsimiles of same run-up sides of sisturn and along top; one side of top has projecting human figure, on top of small bell is an alligator head holding a human hand. Base is geometrically carved. Large bell originally showed mudfish figure and snake-wing bird. Condition: Back of large bell broken. A second projecting figure broken off. Crack down front of large bell with a small upper section missing. Small bell has front broken off. Bottom broken in small area.