18th Century Sanctuary Dome Liturgical Bell

Description

Identification
• Material: Brass, hand-pierced with decorative cutouts (hearts, circles, quatrefoils).
• Form: A domed cover with a handle on top, about 7-8 inches across, with six internal bells mounted on a cross-braced frame.
• Sound function: When shaken or moved, the multiple clappers produce a resonant chorus of tones rather than a single strike.
• Purpose: Likely used within a church or monastery setting in the 18th century, either Catholic or Orthodox. These were used for:
• Liturgical signaling (e.g., during mass, to mark the elevation of the host).
• Processional ringing (carried in hand or mounted).
• Occasionally as censer-like covers, though the lack of residue suggests this one was more purely musical.
Dating & Style
• The pierced brass work and the form suggest 18th Continental Europe (Likely French)
• The hearts and quatrefoils are consistent with ecclesiastical ornament of that period.
• The bells inside appear hand-cast, not machine-made, confirming pre-industrial manufacture.
These are quite rare. Condition is key, and yours shows honest wear but intact mechanics (bells all present).See

Dimensions

8ʺW × 8ʺD × 5.25ʺH

Styles

Religious

Period

Late 18th Century

Country of Origin

France

Item Type

Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned

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Materials

Brass Finish

Steel

Condition

Good Condition, Unknown, Some Imperfections

Color

Brass

Condition Notes

Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear; all bells intact and functional. Provenance: Continental Europe, ecclesiastical metalwork. An uncommon survival …moreCondition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear; all bells intact and functional.Provenance: Continental Europe, ecclesiastical metalwork.An uncommon survival of devotional craftsmanship,