These very old small brass bells were all hand cast individually using the traditional lost wax casting method with all traditional materials and techniques. Therefore, no two bells are identical. This strand is actually not a traditional object by itself; a merchant strung all 170 of these bells in this way to sell them all together. Small bells like these were commonly used to adorn ceremonial figures and implements. The sound of the bells would invoke the power of the spirits to which the ceremonies were intended to appeal. These were all made and used by the Dogon people of Mali.

 The strand is 28" long (71 cm). Each bell measures approximately 1 3/8" tall (3.5 cm)