Vintage Sao/Kotoko bronze bell from the area of Lake Chad. The Sao civilization were skilled metal workers between the sixth and 16th centuries and their tradition of bronze art has been passed down to the Kotoko. They made bronze items such as church bells with Animal figures and other small figurines like the mummy type figure on top of this bell. These objects were often used in religious or ceremonial settings. Bronze pieces such as this also served as ambulance alarms or were placed in graves, or were used as status symbols with special protective or spiritual powers. Original patina with aged verdigris.