15. - 17. århundrede Bronze Crotle bell - 33 mm (Ingen mindstepris)

"Post-Medieval Bronze Crotal Bell with Suspension Loop

Culture / Period: Post-Medieval
Date / Period: 15th–17th century AD
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 33 mm
Condition: Good condition, with minor age-related surface wear and a smooth dark brown-grey patina. The spherical body, sound openings and suspension loop are well preserved. See photographs for details.

No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:

Object Registration ID: 1067

The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the bronze bell from J.P. in Eijsden, the Netherlands.

The previous owner, J.P. from Eijsden (the Netherlands), stated that the object had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1990s.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:

Bronze crotal bells were widely used throughout Europe during the Late Medieval and Post-Medieval periods, particularly between the 15th and 17th centuries. These small spherical bells were designed to produce a ringing sound when moved and were commonly attached to horse harnesses, livestock collars and other equipment.

This example features a rounded, hollow body with visible sound openings and a projecting suspension loop with a circular perforation. Such bells originally contained a small loose metal pellet that struck the interior when shaken, producing their characteristic sound. The survival of the internal pellet and the bell's present functionality have not been established.

During the Post-Medieval period, bells served both practical and decorative purposes. They were frequently used on horses and draught animals, allowing their movements to be heard during transport, agricultural work and travel. Bells also appeared as accessories on clothing, harnesses and ceremonial equipment, depending on their size and design.

These objects were manufactured by specialised metalworkers, generally using copper-alloy casting techniques. Their hollow construction required careful craftsmanship to create a durable body capable of producing a clear sound. Bronze and other copper alloys were particularly suitable because of their strength, corrosion resistance and acoustic properties.

Crotal bells were produced and distributed across extensive European trade networks. Comparable examples have been recovered from archaeological contexts in present-day England, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, reflecting their widespread use in rural communities, towns and commercial transport.

This well-preserved bronze bell illustrates the practical metalworking traditions of the Post-Medieval period. It provides a direct and tangible connection to everyday life in early modern Europe, when the familiar sound of small bells accompanied animals, travellers and agricultural activities."