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Source Description
Bells were used to call the faithful to services throughout the Middle Ages. They also marked deaths, and were even believed to ward off storms and other dangers. Although many churches had bells, few medieval examples survive because they were often recast when they were damaged or melted down so that the metal could be reused. We do not have much information about the origin of this bell, but its long, narrow shape resembles several bells known to have been made in the mid-fifteenth century in Austria. The bell has four figures in relief: Saints Peter, Paul, John the Evangelist, and Thomas. The apostles are identified by their attributes: Peter holds the keys to heaven; Paul is shown with the sword of his execution; John the Evangelist holds his sacred writings; and Thomas holds a ruler, alluding to his role as patron of architects.The founder who made the bell has signed his work with the inscription P.K. ME FECIT (PK made me), and the bell is further inscribed with the words XPS VINCIT, XPS REGNAT, XPS I[M]P[ER]AT (Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ rules).
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
40263
label
Bell with Apostles
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
2
Source metadata
id
40263
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Bell with Apostles
description
Bells were used to call the faithful to services throughout the Middle Ages. They also marked deaths, and were even believed to ward off storms and other dangers. Although many churches had bells, few medieval examples survive because they were often recast when they were damaged or melted down so that the metal could be reused. We do not have much information about the origin of this bell, but its long, narrow shape resembles several bells known to have been made in the mid-fifteenth century in Austria. The bell has four figures in relief: Saints Peter, Paul, John the Evangelist, and Thomas. The apostles are identified by their attributes: Peter holds the keys to heaven; Paul is shown with the sword of his execution; John the Evangelist holds his sacred writings; and Thomas holds a ruler, alluding to his role as patron of architects.The founder who made the bell has signed his work with the inscription P.K. ME FECIT (PK made me), and the bell is further inscribed with the words XPS VINCIT, XPS REGNAT, XPS I[M]P[ER]AT (Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ rules).
provenance
Jules Domergue, Paris; Arnold Seligmann, Paris; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1922, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
2nd half 14th century (Medieval)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Metal
bells
imageCount
2
pageCount
2
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
84.4
height
55.7
dimensionsRaw
H: 33 1/4 x Diam: 21 15/16 in. (84.4 x 55.7 cm)
Source extras
cul
Austrian
style
Romanesque
inscriptions
[Signature] Cast inscription on upper band: P.K. MEFECIT; [Translation] P. K. made me. [Transcription] Cast on upper band: +XPS VINCIT XPS REGNAT XPS I[M]P[ER]AT; [Translation] Christ conquers
Christ reigns
Christ rules.
med
bronze
creator_ids
4876
collection_ids
MED
exhibition_ids
3310
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
3da110eef801e8b8
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
5cbcc836e224fd05
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no