PROBABLY FLEMISH, CIRCA 1544

Details

A bell metal hand bell
Probably Flemish, circa 1544

Inscribed in two bands around the body 'DIOS SEA VEADO DE TODO' and 'Y UENDITO SEA SV SENATO NOBRE'; decorated in relief with scenes of cherubs, Orpheus, and numerous animals; the handle in the form of three standing cherubs.
Medium brown patina; the handle drilled with a hole.

AND A BRONZE MORTARL

Probably Flemish, 1630

Decorated in relief with repeating bands of foliage, and inscribed and dated in a band around the top 'AMOR VINCIT OMNIA.AO.1630'
Medium brown patina.
5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm.) high
3¼ in. (8.2 cm.) high

Literature

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, Koper & Brons, 1986, p. 237, no. 328.

Lot Essay

A fascinating comparison can be made between the present bell and another example illustrated in the Rijksmuseum exhibition catalogue (loc.cit.). Both bells have an identical handle, and use the same motifs around the body, albeit in a different order. However, on the Rijksmuseum bell the inscriptions are in Flemish as opposed to Spanish, as evident on the present lot. It is therefore possible that this bell was produced in the Spanish Netherlands for a Spanish patron.

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