Zeer grote Antieke Afrikaanse Dubbele Bel - Gankogui / Agogo - Bamileke / Ewe - Gong - Africa (No reserve price)
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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A very large antique hand-forged double iron bell known as Gankogui, Agogo or Double Gong, originating from West Africa (Ewe in Ghana/Togo/Benin and Bamileke in Cameroon) with a rotan-wrapped U-shaped handle, weighing about 3.855 kg and dating to the first half of the 20th century, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A hand-forged double iron bell without a clapper.
Struck with a rod, the large bell produces a low tone and the small a high tone—the rhythmic skeleton of West African music.
This specimen is the old, large ceremonial type:
• Material: thick-forged iron, two conical bells bent from a single piece and forge-welded at the top
• Handle: U-shaped core wrapped with rattan/willow wickerwork - typical of old use.
• Patina: heavy rust patina, hammer marks and signs of use, internally dark and corroded. That is exactly what collectors want.
In the literature you will encounter it under various names:
Gankogui, Gakpevi, Agogo, Double Bell, Bamileke Double Gong
2. Where does it come from?
West and Central Africa.
Its origin lies with the Ewe people in Ghana, Togo and Benin.
The same form was adopted by blacksmiths by the Bamileke in Cameroon, Yoruba in Nigeria and Grebo / Kru in Liberia. 
Function:
• Musical instrument: time-keeper in all traditional ensembles
• Ceremonial / status: used by chiefs, in initiation, war and rituals
• Veebel: large examples like this were also used as cow bells.
Dating: not a new tourist piece from Togo.
Given the coarse forging method, the thickness of the iron and the weathered rattan, this is the first half of the 20th century, circa 1920-1950
An authentic ethnographic utilitarian object.
Detailed description:
Beautiful large antique double iron bell, known as Gankogui, Agogo or Double Gong.
Originating from West Africa (Ewe - Ghana/Togo/Benin and Bamileke - Cameroon region). Fully hand-forged from recycled iron by the local village blacksmith. The two bells are connected by a U-shaped handle richly wrapped with original rattan wickerwork.
This type of bell formed the rhythmic foundation, the 'backbone' of traditional Ewe music, and also served as a ceremonial bell, a status object and a cow bell.
Details:
Material: forged iron, rattan.
It is a very large and heavy piece with a width of 33.00 cm and a height of 55.5 cm.
The bell weighs nearly 4.00 kilograms (3,855.00 grams) and is therefore very heavy.
Dating: first half of the 20th century, with beautiful aged rust patina
Condition: very good for its age. Fully intact, the rattan original and secure.
Signs of use and surface rust in keeping with age, see photos. Functions perfectly.
A sculptural and authentic piece of African Tribal Art, perfect for collectors of ethnografica and African musical instruments.
This is an extremely rare object that is offered only very rarely (no minimum price).
Shipped very well packed and insured.
A hand-forged double iron bell without a clapper.
Struck with a rod, the large bell produces a low tone and the small a high tone—the rhythmic skeleton of West African music.
This specimen is the old, large ceremonial type:
• Material: thick-forged iron, two conical bells bent from a single piece and forge-welded at the top
• Handle: U-shaped core wrapped with rattan/willow wickerwork - typical of old use.
• Patina: heavy rust patina, hammer marks and signs of use, internally dark and corroded. That is exactly what collectors want.
In the literature you will encounter it under various names:
Gankogui, Gakpevi, Agogo, Double Bell, Bamileke Double Gong
2. Where does it come from?
West and Central Africa.
Its origin lies with the Ewe people in Ghana, Togo and Benin.
The same form was adopted by blacksmiths by the Bamileke in Cameroon, Yoruba in Nigeria and Grebo / Kru in Liberia. 
Function:
• Musical instrument: time-keeper in all traditional ensembles
• Ceremonial / status: used by chiefs, in initiation, war and rituals
• Veebel: large examples like this were also used as cow bells.
Dating: not a new tourist piece from Togo.
Given the coarse forging method, the thickness of the iron and the weathered rattan, this is the first half of the 20th century, circa 1920-1950
An authentic ethnographic utilitarian object.
Detailed description:
Beautiful large antique double iron bell, known as Gankogui, Agogo or Double Gong.
Originating from West Africa (Ewe - Ghana/Togo/Benin and Bamileke - Cameroon region). Fully hand-forged from recycled iron by the local village blacksmith. The two bells are connected by a U-shaped handle richly wrapped with original rattan wickerwork.
This type of bell formed the rhythmic foundation, the 'backbone' of traditional Ewe music, and also served as a ceremonial bell, a status object and a cow bell.
Details:
Material: forged iron, rattan.
It is a very large and heavy piece with a width of 33.00 cm and a height of 55.5 cm.
The bell weighs nearly 4.00 kilograms (3,855.00 grams) and is therefore very heavy.
Dating: first half of the 20th century, with beautiful aged rust patina
Condition: very good for its age. Fully intact, the rattan original and secure.
Signs of use and surface rust in keeping with age, see photos. Functions perfectly.
A sculptural and authentic piece of African Tribal Art, perfect for collectors of ethnografica and African musical instruments.
This is an extremely rare object that is offered only very rarely (no minimum price).
Shipped very well packed and insured.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Brand
Zeer grote Antieke Afrikaanse Dubbele Bel - Gankogui / Agogo - Bamileke / Ewe
Country of origin
Africa
Physical condition
Good
Number of objects
1
Material
Metal
Weight
3855 g
