Swags of foliage with suspending pendants decorate the waist of this bell; below the swags are grotesque masks and other foliate and shell motifs typical of Renaissance decoration. The crown is decorated with acanthus leaves, as is the sound bow (the edge against which the clapper strikes), which also boasts an egg-and-dart motif. The ringing of bells served many secular and religious functions in the Renaissance period, such as signifying special events, celebrating the consecration of the Eucharist, or summoning servants.
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