claw bell

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Léane asked

What was the function of this claw? How is it linked with Catholic liturgy?
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Léane, The claw bell makes a beautiful sound (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AVS9zeGtKA) and was indeed used for religious purposes. One example linked with the Catholic church is the painting 'The Glorification of the Virgin', from our collection, in which the Christ child holds two claw bells and all kinds of musical instruments surround the Virgin Mary. Best, Xin

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Title	claw bell
Material and technique	Bronze
Object type	Claw bell > Religious object > Ceremonial object > Utensil
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Height 7,5 cm
Artists	Bronzesmith: Anoniem
Accession number	F 9337 (KN&V)
Credits	Loan Stichting Het Nederlandse Gebruiksvoorwerp, 2003
Department	Applied Arts & Design
Acquisition date	2003
Creation date	in circa 1500
Research	Show research Alma
Material	Bronze > Copper > Common metal > Metal > Inorganic material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Claw bell > Religious object > Ceremonial object > Utensil
Archeological Find	Dordrecht > South Holland > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe
Geographical origin	Germany > Western Europe > Europe