Handbell with masks
Bell
1500-1550 (made)
1500-1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bell bears a shape common to a vast number of north Italian examples; the grotesque masks are generic and therefore difficult to place, being widely used as a decorative motif. Handbells were used for both liturgical and secular purposes and could be both functional or musical objects.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Handbell with masks |
| Materials and techniques | Bell-metal |
| Brief description | Hand-bell with masks, North Itallian (Padua or Venice) c.1500-1550 |
| Physical description | A hand-bell with turned handle, decorated with downward facing overlapping acanthus around the crown and sound bow. On the waist, a moulding wire from which swags of leaves and fruit are suspended, with fluttering ribbons attaching pendants of garlands alternating with two medallions pof a griffin, one of which faces forward and the other behind; below the swags, alternating grotesque masks of two different designs. The faint remains of a foundry mark inside. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A |
| Object history | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This bell bears a shape common to a vast number of north Italian examples; the grotesque masks are generic and therefore difficult to place, being widely used as a decorative motif. Handbells were used for both liturgical and secular purposes and could be both functional or musical objects. |
| Bibliographic reference | Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of the Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001, pp.142-3, cat. no. 39. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.194-1938 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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