18th Century Sanctuary Dome Liturgical Bell

Details

Description

Identification
• Material: Brass, hand-pierced with decorative cutouts (hearts, circles, quatrefoils).
• Form: A domed cover with a handle on … Read more Identification
• Material: Brass, hand-pierced with decorative cutouts (hearts, circles, quatrefoils).
• Form: A domed cover with a handle on top, about 7-8 inches across, with six internal bells mounted on a cross-braced frame.
• Sound function: When shaken or moved, the multiple clappers produce a resonant chorus of tones rather than a single strike.
• Purpose: Likely used within a church or monastery setting in the 18th century, either Catholic or Orthodox. These were used for:
• Liturgical signaling (e.g., during mass, to mark the elevation of the host).
• Processional ringing (carried in hand or mounted).
• Occasionally as censer-like covers, though the lack of residue suggests this one was more purely musical.
Dating & Style
• The pierced brass work and the form suggest 18th Continental Europe (Likely French)
• The hearts and quatrefoils are consistent with ecclesiastical ornament of that period.
• The bells inside appear hand-cast, not machine-made, confirming pre-industrial manufacture.
These are quite rare. Condition is key, and yours shows honest wear but intact mechanics (bells all present). See less