{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O77365"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O77365/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL2669/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL2669/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AL2669","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O77365/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O77365","accessionNumber":"1036-1898","objectType":"Handbell","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>By tradition, small handbells used for funeral processions were usually cast in relief with an appropriate inscription and a date.<br><br><b>Ownership & Use</b><br>Small handbells were used by the parish clerk or sexton when the body of the deceased was carried in procession to the church for burial.  The handbell would be rung at intervals to invoke all those who heard it to pray for the repose of the departed.  Contemporary engravings depicting funerals in the 17th century show the sexton walking ahead of the coffin and carrying a staff and a  bell.<br><br><b>Ownership & Use</b><br>This bell was found buried near Worcester Cathedral.  It was cast in 1638, just before the Civil War of 1642-1646, when the city of Worcester and its cathedral were badly damaged. This bell may have been looted from a church or from the cathedral during the upheaval.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Bell metal (copper and tin alloy), with modern handle","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Musical instruments","id":"THES48919"},{"text":"Death","id":"THES48970"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AL2669"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"58C (VA)","id":"THES49235"},"free":"","case":"CA3","shelf":"","box":"29"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Bell","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1638","earliest":"1638-01-01","latest":"1638-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"14.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"15.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: Measured; 06/06/2000 by KB\nEstimated height with handle ammended 6/6/2000 by DH","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"'+MEMENTO+MORE+1638","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"inscribed","position":"around outside of bell","script":"","translation":"'remember you will die'","transliteration":"","type":"Decoration","note":"Decoration; around outside of bell; inscribed"}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Sexton's funerary handbell, copper and tin alloy with modern handle, England, 1638","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nThe parish sexton rang the handbell at the head of the funeral procession as mourners walked behind the coffin to church. The bell is inscribed '+MEMENTO+MORE+1638', meaning 'remember you will die', to remind the mourners to repent and prepare for their own deaths.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["1036-1898"],"accessionNumberNum":"1036","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1898,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LV3683"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}