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1942.13.1020

Iron clapper bell, lacking its clapper [RTS 5/9/2005].

1942.13.1020

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Collection type
Object
Description
Iron clapper bell, lacking its clapper [RTS 5/9/2005].
Long description
Clapper type bell, made from 2 rectangular sheets of iron, pinched closed on the top and side edges, with the central part opened up to form a near cylindrical hollow with almost circular plan view. The bell narrows towards its mouth. A hole has been punched through the upper part; this would normally be used to seat a suspension loop, either in metal or plant fibre, from which the clapper would be hung. In this example, both loop and clapper are missing. The bell body is otherwise complete, with some surface flaws in the metal; the surface has rusted slightly and is currently a dark reddish brown colour (Pantone Black 7C). The bell has a weight of 182.3 grams and is 97 mm long, 107 mm wide across the top, with a mouth that measures 48 by 52 mm across; the walls are 1.5 mm thick, and the suspension hole is 8 mm wide [RTS 5/9/2005].
Cultural groups
Dinka
Nuer
Ganda
Nandi
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1932
Date collected
1932
Acquisition information
Donated: 1942
Materials and processes
Material Iron Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Hammered, Process Bent, Process Perforated
Dimensions
Height: max 100 mm, Width: max 107 mm, Weight 182.3 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1942.13.1020 Other numbers: 36846 f
Research and responses

The origin of this bell is not known, and it is a type of widespread use. The museum has some Dinka examples (1934.8.14 and 1979.20.103), a Nuer example (1931.66.28), a somewhat larger Toposa example (1979.20.202) as well as unattributed versions (1884.108.6-7). Similar bells are also found in other cultures, such as the Ganda of Uganda; the Acholi also use this type as cow bells (M. Trowell & K.P. Wachsmann, 1953, Tribal Crafts of Uganda, pl. 77I; p. 327).

This bell was obtained from the Wellcome Collection along with 1942.13.1020, which is of similar design; both bells differ from Dinka, Nuer and Toposa versions in that the top edge of the bell appears to be welded shut, rather than just folded over, suggesting that these bells are made from 2 sheets of iron, not the more usual one. This may be indicative of a different cultural origin, although otherwise the shape is identical to the Nilotic examples [RTS 5/9/2005].

Search terms: Music, Animal Gear, Musical Instrument, Bell, Cattle Accessory