Decorative bell - Italy - Old shepherd's bell

An antique Italian pastoral bell for cattle, probably dating from the early decades of the 20th century.

The bell has a characteristic flared shape and is complete with an internal hammer/bell striker of iron and with an antique leather collar/leash, still preserved despite evident wear resulting from the passage of time and use.

The surface bears a beautiful old patina, with oxidations and signs of use consistent with the age of the item. On the bell's body there are also small decorative embossed motifs, arranged in groups.

The item comes from rural and pastoral tradition: such bells were placed around the necks of animals to enable locating them during grazing. Italian bronze pieces cast with a leather collar and made for casts are documented in national catalogs of cultural property between the 19th and 20th centuries; pieces of the classic bell form are specifically attributed to the early 20th century.

Dimensions of the bell: about 9 cm in height and 9 cm in diameter at the outlet.
Total weight: about 350, including the collar.
Assigned period: early 20th century, approximately 1900–1930.
Origin: Italy.
Condition: original, unrestored, with patina, oxidations and significant signs of time. The leather collar shows wear, deformations and damaged parts, clearly visible in the photographs.

The item truly used, an interesting testament to Italian rural and shepherding culture.

Era
1400-1900
Weight