Collection online

bell-shrine

• Object type

  • bell-shrine

• Museum number

  1889,0902.23

• Description

  Bell-shrine; bronze and silver parcel-gilt; made for the bell of St Conall Cael; decorated with silver plates; on front the top plate has seated figure of God the Father flanked by Virgin and Child and Archangel Michael; main panel with crucified Christ in centre, surrounded by four figures, against a background of panels filled with scroll ornaments; plate originally set with three rock crystals, one now missing, and is surrounded by plain silver border, inscribed and worn; side panels decorated with stepped geometric patterns; top panels on back and sides engraved with emblems of the Evangelists; main panel at back engraved with figures of saints; chain for suspension; top left-hand side damaged.

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• Culture/period

  • Late Medieval

• Date

  • 15thC

• Production place

  • Made in: Ireland
  • (Europe,British Isles,Ireland (british),Republic of Ireland)

• Findspot

  • Found/Acquired: Inishkeel
  • (Europe,Republic of Ireland,Donegal (county),Inishkeel)

• Materials

  • silver
  • rock crystal
  • gold
  • bronze

• Technique

  • parcel-gilded
  • engraved

• Dimensions

  • Height: 219 millimetres
  • Width: 155 millimetres
  • Depth: 127 millimetres
  • Weight: 1092.4 grammes

• Bibliography

  • Bagnoli, Klein, Mann & Robinson 2011 no. 58, p. 119

• Location

  On display: G40/dc13/sB

• Exhibition history

  Exhibited:
  2016-2017 08 Sep-29 Jan, National Museum of Australia, Canberra, 'A History of the World in 100 Objects' 2016 13 Feb-18 Jun, National Museum of Western Australia, Perth, 'A History of the World in 100 Objects'
  2015 19 Jun- 13 Jul, Ireland, Letterkenny, Donegal Museum, St. Conall Cael Bellshrine. 2014 23 Apr-01 Aug, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, 'A History of the World in 100 Objects' 2011 23 June-9 Oct, London, BM, 'Treasures of Heaven' 2011 13 Feb-8 May, Baltimore, Walters Museum of Art, 'Treasures of Heaven' 2010-2011 17 Oct-6 Jan, Ohio, Cleveland Museum of Art, 'Treasures of Heaven' 2007 14 Sep-2 Dec, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2007 3 Feb-27 May, Taipei, National Palace Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2006 18 Mar-4 Jun, Beijing, Capital Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2005 27 Oct-2006 31 Jan, Haengso Museum, Keimyung University, Daegu, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2005 25 Jul-8 Oct, Busan Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2005 11 Apr-10 Jul, Seoul Arts Centre, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2004 26 Jun-29 Aug, Niigata Bandaijima Art Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2004 10 Apr-13 Jun, Fukuoka Art Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2004 17 Jan-28 Mar, Kobe City Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures 2003 18 Oct-14 Dec, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures

• Subjects

  • virgin and child
  • saint/martyr
  • mammal
  • god the father
  • deity
  • crucifixion
  • bird
  • bell
  • angel

• Associated names

  • Emblem of: St John the Evangelist
  • Emblem of: St Matthew
  • Emblem of: St Mark
  • Emblem of: St Luke
  • Representation of: Archangel Michael
  • Representation of: Virgin Mary
  • Representation of: Jesus Christ
  • Representation of: God
  • Associated with: St Conall

• Associated places

  • Associated with: Inishkeel
  • (Europe,Republic of Ireland,Donegal (county),Inishkeel)

• Acquisition name

  • Donated by: Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks

• Acquisition date

  1889

• Department

  Britain, Europe and Prehistory

• Registration number

  1889,0902.23