{"product_id":"ancient-roman-bronze-bell-circa-1st-century-ce","title":"Ancient Roman Cast Bronze Bell | 1st Century CE","description":"\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Empire\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast bronze\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1st Century CE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ancient Roman cast bronze bell dates to the 1st century CE and belongs to a type known from Roman sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bell has a compact conical body, divided by a horizontal groove into a rounded upper section and a flaring lower portion. At the top is a distinctive hexagonal-outline suspension loop with a circular opening, allowing the bell to be hung or attached.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze surface displays a naturally developed green-brown patina with areas of orange and light-green corrosion, reflecting its considerable antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Conical body with flaring lower section\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Horizontal groove dividing the body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Hexagonal suspension loop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Circular suspension hole\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Green-brown archaeological patina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Orange and light-green corrosion deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Mounted on a modern display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall bronze bells were used in a variety of contexts throughout the Roman world and could be suspended from objects, fittings, harnesses, or other attachments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExamples of this general form are known from Roman archaeological contexts, including Pompeii and Herculaneum, providing useful parallels for the form and 1st-century CE dating of this example. Without a documented excavation context, its precise original use cannot be determined with certainty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bell remains substantially intact, with the suspension loop well preserved. The surface exhibits green-brown patination with orange and light-green corrosion. Minor corrosion and small losses along the lip are present, consistent with age and archaeological preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 1.75 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 1.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1,900–2,000 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly part of the private collection of David Van Vleck Jr., Brooklyn, New York, USA, a longtime collector whose holdings included classical antiquities, ancient coins, and small works in bronze. Acquired by the collector during the 1990s and subsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, New York, USA. The piece later entered a private collection in North York, Ontario, Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpert Assessment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examined by \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/pages\/independent-specialist-network\" title=\"Luca Salvaggio | Independent Specialist Network | Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eLuca Salvaggio\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, an Italian archaeologist specializing in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material, with a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). He identified the object as a Roman cast bronze bell dating to the 1st century CE, based on its conical body, horizontal groove, flaring lower section, hexagonal suspension loop, circular opening, and characteristic green-brown patina. He further noted that its form is comparable to bells found at Pompeii and Herculaneum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore a related 1st-century CE Roman bronze bell in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/502515\" title=\"Ancient Roman Bronze Bell – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/roman-greek-artifacts-ancient-relics\" title=\"Roman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts \u0026amp; Ancient Relics – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eRoman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts \u0026amp; Ancient Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Relic and Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51185584177474,"sku":"NCN-RMN-BRN-BLL","price":400.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient-Roman-Bronze-Bell-Circa-1st-4th-Centu-9170.jpg?v=1791237216","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/ancient-roman-bronze-bell-circa-1st-century-ce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}