Handbell
1638 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
By tradition, small handbells used for funeral processions were usually cast in relief with an appropriate inscription and a date.
Ownership & Use
Small handbells were used by the parish clerk or sexton when the body of the deceased was carried in procession to the church for burial. The handbell would be rung at intervals to invoke all those who heard it to pray for the repose of the departed. Contemporary engravings depicting funerals in the 17th century show the sexton walking ahead of the coffin and carrying a staff and a bell.
Ownership & Use
This bell was found buried near Worcester Cathedral. It was cast in 1638, just before the Civil War of 1642-1646, when the city of Worcester and its cathedral were badly damaged. This bell may have been looted from a church or from the cathedral during the upheaval.
By tradition, small handbells used for funeral processions were usually cast in relief with an appropriate inscription and a date.
Ownership & Use
Small handbells were used by the parish clerk or sexton when the body of the deceased was carried in procession to the church for burial. The handbell would be rung at intervals to invoke all those who heard it to pray for the repose of the departed. Contemporary engravings depicting funerals in the 17th century show the sexton walking ahead of the coffin and carrying a staff and a bell.
Ownership & Use
This bell was found buried near Worcester Cathedral. It was cast in 1638, just before the Civil War of 1642-1646, when the city of Worcester and its cathedral were badly damaged. This bell may have been looted from a church or from the cathedral during the upheaval.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bell metal (copper and tin alloy), with modern handle |
| Brief description | Sexton's funerary handbell, copper and tin alloy with modern handle, England, 1638 |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | '+MEMENTO+MORE+1638 (Decoration; around outside of bell; inscribed)
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| Gallery label |
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| Summary | Object Type By tradition, small handbells used for funeral processions were usually cast in relief with an appropriate inscription and a date. Ownership & Use Small handbells were used by the parish clerk or sexton when the body of the deceased was carried in procession to the church for burial. The handbell would be rung at intervals to invoke all those who heard it to pray for the repose of the departed. Contemporary engravings depicting funerals in the 17th century show the sexton walking ahead of the coffin and carrying a staff and a bell. Ownership & Use This bell was found buried near Worcester Cathedral. It was cast in 1638, just before the Civil War of 1642-1646, when the city of Worcester and its cathedral were badly damaged. This bell may have been looted from a church or from the cathedral during the upheaval. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1036-1898 |
About this object record
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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