Lot 747 D α

Only very few cast bronze table bells from the Renaissance period have survived. The small bells were produced especially frequently in northern Italy in the 16th century as representative objets d'art for the noble families of the region, and they could also be presented as valuable gifts. Most of the known bells were produced as commissions, as evidenced by the family coats-of-arms used in their decoration, as in the case of the present bell (other examples can be found in the V&A Museum London, inv. nos. 586-1865 or M.686-1910).The coat-of-arms of the di Ganbicurti family, a noble Veronese family, can be attributed, but there are no further archival records that could reveal more about the family's life and times. It can be assumed that this bell was produced in northern Italy, in either Verona or Venice. Comparable bells can be attributed to Alessandro Bonaventurini, the leading bell founder in Verona between 1515 and 1570, which is why it makes sense to name him as the caster of this bell.Alongside its caster, the decoration of this piece also deserves special mention, as it represents a rarity of European metalwork of the Renaissance. It is inspired by the delicate and elaborate technique of metal inlay work (also called demascening) developed in the Middle East, which was primarily used to decorate weapons and armour in Renaissance Italy. The implementation of this technique on smaller objects such as a table bell posed a particular challenge and adds to this pieces' rarity.