Bell
1616 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bell, probably made in Teglio, North Italy, 1616, was possibly a sancting bell that stood on an altar, or was attached to the chapel wall, and rung by a long cord. The monogram, variously transcribed in the museum records as FHC(?) and FAC, is not clear. The 'T' takes the form of the Greek letter Tau, which gave its name to the tau cross, a staff carried by a bishop or abbot. The decoration combines religious and secular motifs in an unusual form.
The sanctus or altar bell probably originated in the 12th century, when the elevation of the host was introduced to the Mass. These bells were frequently made in precious metals and were often given to the church by members of the congregation or clergy.
The sanctus or altar bell probably originated in the 12th century, when the elevation of the host was introduced to the Mass. These bells were frequently made in precious metals and were often given to the church by members of the congregation or clergy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Bell from altar, bell metal. Teglio, North Italian, 1616. |
| Physical description | Altar bell, delineated with moulding wires and decorated on the waist with a monogram above a bowl of fruit or flowers, a T (or Tau), a nude boy playing a drum and the date 1616. Both interior and exterior have applied patinations, which have eroded to reveal the grey bell-metal. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bell, probably made in Teglio, North Italy, 1616, was possibly a sancting bell that stood on an altar, or was attached to the chapel wall, and rung by a long cord. The monogram, variously transcribed in the museum records as FHC(?) and FAC, is not clear. The 'T' takes the form of the Greek letter Tau, which gave its name to the tau cross, a staff carried by a bishop or abbot. The decoration combines religious and secular motifs in an unusual form. The sanctus or altar bell probably originated in the 12th century, when the elevation of the host was introduced to the Mass. These bells were frequently made in precious metals and were often given to the church by members of the congregation or clergy. |
| Bibliographic reference | Motture, Peta. Bells and Mortars. Catalogue of Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001. pp. 180-1. cat. no. 60. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.203-1925 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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