a really nice rustic bronze bell , 1700 – 1800’s, i bought this from a French dealer who collects objects from the remote mountain and countryside regions of France. The information he gave me is that it’s a chapel or church hand bell used by the preacher to shush the chattering of the congregation – i’ve no idea if that was its main purpose but it had come from a small rural church where it must have served some sort of purpose in ceremony or shushing!
It has what i guess is a makers mark of 5 dots, visible in one picture, it also has the original clapper and makes a lovely clean sound. Unusual conical shape and gorgeous original antique patina.
