Hand bell with the arms of the Gagiona family of Verona, by Giuseppe de Levis, Italy (Verona) dated 1582

The bell is decorated with four bands of ornament: at the top foliate scrolls, below harpies separated by foliate pattern; below three coats-of-arms identified as those of the Gagiona family of Verona (azure, a pineapple or with long stalk foliated verte, the stalk below, surmounted by a star of eight points), each coat of arms supported by two male figures and dolphins, below difference foliated scrolls,each band of decorateion separated by two narrow bands. Inside a foundry mark with the initials IDL for Ioseph de Levis and a date in Arabic numberals 1582? partically obliterated?

Purchased from Dr Anselm Lange,

Bells are made from a special alloy that has a high tin content to produce the ringing tone. They are often sand cast, but are also made using a variation on the lost-wax method. A basic shape is created in clay and the form of the bell then applied in wax, along with its relief decoration. An outer mould of clay is built up on top. The mould is heated, the wax melts out and the clay bakes dry before the molten metal is poured in. The bell is marked on the inside with the foundry mark, the intials I.D.L. and the date.

A.16-1973