Handbell

Unknown

ca. 1850 · Bronze, iron, wood · Musical Instruments

This bell is adorned with a decorated crown in deep relief. The scene depicts military and clerical emblems sitting atop a crenelated rampart that is crushing nine male and female figures. This remarkable depiction may symbolize the oppression of the masses by the military and the church. The bell is purported to have been a gift from Napoleon III to the president of Peru, Ramón Castilla, in commemoration of the emancipation of the Peruvian slaves in December of 1854.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1850

Medium

Bronze, iron, wood

Culture

French

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Julio Ornano Verlarde, 1989