Hand bell with the arms of Pietro Moscaglia thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Hand bell with the arms of Pietro Moscaglia

Hand Bell
1540-1570 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This hand bell must have been made for a Pietro Moscaglia, whose name appears in the latinised form around his coat of arms, in Verona between ca. 1540-1570. The Moscalia were an old, illustrious family in Vicenza and Verona, who obtained entry to the Nobile Consiglio in 1546. The context for which it has been made is unknown, but the appearance of personal arms perhaps suggests that it was used by the owner to call his servants.
This bell together with two others in the museum's collection (586-1865 & 470-1899) belong to a group related in shape and style to those produced in Verona by the Bonaventurini foundry.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHand bell with the arms of Pietro Moscaglia (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brass
Brief description
Hand bell, brass, with the arms of Pietro Moscaglia, Italy (Verona), ca. 1540-1570
Physical description
The hand bell is decorated around the crown with shells and foliage. On the neck, ivy or (vine?) leaves. On the waist two bands of ornament, divided by a moulding wire: (i) bucrania with 'vitae hung with festoons supporting displayed birds. (ii) three identical coats of arms, surmounted by a helm, with a legend, supported by winged sea monsters. Around the sound bow, acanthus and foliage.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.6cm
  • Without peg argent height: 9.8cm
  • Diameter: 10.8cm
  • Weight: 788.7g
Marks and inscriptions
'PETRVS MOSCALEA' (legend on the waist)
Object history
From the Salting bequest.

Historical significance: This bell together with two others in the museum's collection (586-1865 & 470-1899) belong to a group related in shape and style to those produced in Verona by the Bonaventurini foundry.
Historical context
This hand bell must have been made for a Pietro Moscaglia, whose name appears in the latinised form around his coat of arms. The Moscalia were an old, illustrious family in Vicenza and Verona, who obtained entry to the Nobile Consiglio in 1546. The context for which it has been made is unknown, but the appearance of personal arms perhaps suggests that it was used by the owner to call his servants. The form of replacement handle could either take a tassel or would allow the bell to be suspended.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This hand bell must have been made for a Pietro Moscaglia, whose name appears in the latinised form around his coat of arms, in Verona between ca. 1540-1570. The Moscalia were an old, illustrious family in Vicenza and Verona, who obtained entry to the Nobile Consiglio in 1546. The context for which it has been made is unknown, but the appearance of personal arms perhaps suggests that it was used by the owner to call his servants.
This bell together with two others in the museum's collection (586-1865 & 470-1899) belong to a group related in shape and style to those produced in Verona by the Bonaventurini foundry.
Bibliographic references
  • Motture, Peta. "The decoration of Italian Renaissance hand-bells." In: Cume, S. and Motture, P., eds. In: The Sculpted Object 1400-1700. Aldershot, 1997, pp. 102, fig. 6.5
  • Motture, Peta. Bells & Mortars. Catalogue of the Italian Bronzes in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2001, pp. 156-7, cat. no 47
Collection
Accession number
M.686-1910

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest