A Janus shaped bronze Bell, in the style of Benin or Yoruba, Nigeria. The peculiarity of this bell is that it is decorated with a figure as handle. under the 293 bronze bells listed by Digital Benin, there is only one that is designed in a similar way. Those of the MET NY. "Brass bells are an essential feature of Benin ancestral altars. Arrayed along the front of the altar, they are rung in order to summon the ancestors to hear the prayers of their descendants and to partake of the offerings left there. As seen in this example, altar bells in Benin generally take the form of a truncated, four-sided pyramid." Source: MET, NY. "Ẹroro are an important part of the spiritual worship of Benin people. They are lined along the front of the ancestral altar and are used to summon the ancestors to join their descendants and partake in the ceremony. In English, the term bell is used to describe the objects described as Ẹroro as well as Aza. Most bells are Ẹroro and are made from brass and less commonly ivory. The clappers can be made of brass/bronze, iron, bone or wood. Ẹroro, which are quadrangular in form, were also depicted in other objects, such as plaques and sculptures of individuals. These offer an insight into how such objects were used and indeed worn, usually as part of regalia worn by the Ọba, chiefs and warriors. For example, quadrangular bells are seen being worn around the necks of warriors on relief plaques." Source Digital Benin Altar, Benin City in 1936, with Benin bells (Penultimate photo.). These staffs are from the Benin culture. they represent authority that is passed down in families, villages, priests or successors in general.They would be used as parts of ancestral altars to commemorate current and past leaders. These were carved from wood for everyone except the Oba’s who would have them casted from brass and sometimes from ivory. Unknown photographer (last photo sequence), in the background two bronze rattle staffs, Benin City May 1895, source Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. On the top of the staffs there would be a slit that would house a wood or clay cylindrical rattle. This rattle was used to call attention to spirits so that they would come to their altar and make themselves present. These staffs were lined up by the altar where they symbolized the community and the continuity from generations of being passed down. On the Oba’s staff there are often figures or mudfish represented. It’s also said that the spirits from past Oba’s are housed within the staff and continue to be passed on.