Sale 214 Lot 486

CONGOLESE LUBA CLAPPER BELLS This pair of patinated hand-carved Luba clapper bells from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are exceptional examples of prestige items where utilitarian function meets sacred sculptural form. Carved from dark, lustrous wood, each bell features a conical base adorned with intricate geometric patterns—such as the incised diamond motifs and bold spirals seen here—that are characteristic of Luba aesthetic traditions. Surmounting these bases are finely carved human figures: one bell depicts a single seated figure with a serene expression and traditional coiffure, while the other features a striking back-to-back ("janus") female composition, symbolizing the spiritual duality and all-seeing nature of ancestral guardians. Historically, such bells were used by diviners or chiefs during communal rituals and ceremonies to summon spirits, with the hollow interior and internal wooden clapper producing a rhythmic sound believed to facilitate communication between the physical and supernatural realms. height (approx): 11 inches
$150-200