Help with Identification

[Cyn]

approx. 6 inches around the middle, entire piece including leather strap is approx 4 inches. I have been researching this for a while and cannot find anything. The bell has a beautiful tone and is suspended on a spring. Thanks in advance!

[Cyn]

Could this be some kind of sleigh bell?

[hjlong3]

This is a crotal bell with an unusual design. It appears to be from central or eastern Europe. The black patina suggests silver plate. The small mounting strap suggests that it may have been attached to a wagon/sleigh shaft. The spring mounting is very unusual and was not commonly used on sleigh bells or horse bells as they would have been easily dislodged and lost.
Harry Long, MD

[Carolyn Whitlock]

Harry,

I noticed that there are fleur-de-lis designs on the bell. Do you think that might indicate that it was made in France?

Carolyn

[Cyn]

Thank you both so much. Do either of you have any idea as to date? Or approximately how much it is worth? It has a really beautiful tone. I have never seen anything like this and an quite excited that I found it.

Cyn

[Carolyn Whitlock]

Cyn,

Is the leather strap attached to the bell in any way other than via the springs? Is there a button on the top of the bell that goes into a slit in the bottom of the leather?

Sorry, I can't help you with the value of the bell. Crotal bells can go for a fairly low amount and they can go for over $100, depending on the condition, quality of casting, design, rarity, and name of maker. This one appears quite old and has detail like I have never seen. But, I don't pretend to be an expert or have great knowledge of crotal bells.

This bell is a beauty! Let's hope someone else will step forward and enhance all our educations!

Carolyn

[Cyn]

Carolyn, thanks so much for your expertise. I am attaching 3 new photos of how the bell is attached to the strap. It is not only the spring, but by a protrusion that attaches by a split in the leather. I tried to remove the strap,but I don't think I would be able to reattach it.

Thank again,
Cyn

[hjlong3]

These pictures were quite helpfull. There is a traditional shank attachment to the strap. The springs were clearly added later and add additional support for the bell by attaching it via the mold holes in the bell. The Fleur de Lis was a common design accross Europe, although becoming the symbol of France. The arrow/trident is not typical of France and makes me think more of Eastern Europe. The strap is of a diameter to make it almost definitely a shaft bell of a style that I have never seen before. It is not of American or English Design. Perhaps one of our Russian members will be able to identify it.
Harry Long, MD

[Cyn]

Thank you very much, Dr. Long. I really appreciate you taking the time help me research this bell.

Cyn

[Cyn]

I am still doing research on the bell. Are you sure that is a trident?