Bell
1862-1863 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bell was decorated by a technique known as 'damascening'. The term describes the inlaying of gold or silver into another metal (usually steel) and derives from countries including Syria (Damascus), Egypt, Turkey and Iran, where the technique was practiced on swords and gun barrels. It was mimicked in western Europe from the early 16th century and was later revived in the 1830s. The bell was made by Jes Barkentin (about 1800 to 1883) a Danish immigrant and his first partner George Slater. They described themselves as "sculptors, silver, gold, & bronze manufacturers & workers in damascened steel". Most English manufacturers, however, were unable to afford the expense of genuine damascening.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze, damascened in silver and silver gilt; the handle of cornelian |
| Brief description | Bronze bell, damascened in silver and silver gilt, the handle of cornelian, London, 1862-63, made by Barkentin and Slater |
| Physical description | Hand bell, bronze damascened with architectural ornaments in silver gilt and a circle of female figures in silver, the handle of cornelain and silver gilt. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Messrs. Barkentin & Slater
|
| Object history | Acquisition RF: Barkentin & Slater Purchase - £10 - 10s Messrs. Barkentin & Slater Jes Barkentin (about 1800 to 1883) was a Danish immigrant, whose first partner was George Slater. They described themselves as "sculptors, silver, gold, & bronze manufacturers & workers in damascened steel". Damascening, the technique of inlaying gold or silver into another metal (usually steel) was first revived in Europe in the 1830's. Most English manufacturers, however, were unable to afford the expense of genuine damascening and ignored the fashion. |
| Summary | This bell was decorated by a technique known as 'damascening'. The term describes the inlaying of gold or silver into another metal (usually steel) and derives from countries including Syria (Damascus), Egypt, Turkey and Iran, where the technique was practiced on swords and gun barrels. It was mimicked in western Europe from the early 16th century and was later revived in the 1830s. The bell was made by Jes Barkentin (about 1800 to 1883) a Danish immigrant and his first partner George Slater. They described themselves as "sculptors, silver, gold, & bronze manufacturers & workers in damascened steel". Most English manufacturers, however, were unable to afford the expense of genuine damascening. |
| Bibliographic reference | Jervis, Simon, High Victorian Design, Suffolk, The Boydell Press, 1938, p. 64 ill. ISBN. 0851151876 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 289-1864 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
