This late 19th-century antique Italian cast bronze table bell is a historic reproduction of Il Campanone, the famous 1785 Great Bell of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, originally designed by papal founder Luigi Valadier. The finial features stylized intertwined dolphins with a central knop, leading down to a detailed relief frieze depicting the Twelve Apostles standing beneath archways alongside a haloed Latin cross.
Around the lower rim, the bell is embossed with a Latin inscription following the original papal dedication and ending with the foundry mark ME FECIT. Cast in heavy bronze weighing 1.13kg, it produces a clear chime and retains its internal clapper. The metal exhibits an authentic dark aged patina with natural verdigris highlights in the cast recesses.
Measurements: Height: 17.5cm Base Diameter: 10.2cm Weight: 1.13kg
This piece would suit dark academia, Gothic Revival, or ecclesiastical interior decor styles.