A façon de Venise table-bell

SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY, THE NETHERLANDS, OR PERHAPS ANTWERP

Details

A façon de Venise table-bell
Second half of the 16th Century, The Netherlands, or perhaps Antwerp
Of greyish tint, the handle with a knob finial, annular and a gilt gadrooned knop and four scroll supports, the upper part of the bell-shaped body applied with three grotesque masks enriched in gilding alternating with prunts applied with turquoise beads, above two applied gilt bands, with folded gilt rim (one scroll support to handle lacking, clapper lacking, wear to gilding)
7½in. (19cm.) high

Lot Essay

Cf. Pieter C. Ritsema van Eck and Henrica M. Zijlstra-Zweens, op. cit. (1993), Vol. I, p. 77, no. 99, for a closely related example. It is also there explained that these bells were drinking-vessels, filled with liquid for a toast, drained, turned right way round and rung. This ritual, symbolic of ringing out the old regime, is thought to have been first performed in 1581 when the States-General of The Netherlands renounced their allegiance to Phillip II and Spain.

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