Object

19th Century Burmese Living Bell

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Brief

Acquired as a regimental trophy following an engagement in 1889 at Malin, Upper Burma, the living bell was kept in the Officers’ mess. The piece had been continuously overpainted with black gloss paint, resulting in much of the decoration detail being lost to the exceptionally carved figures and base, as well as the beautifully cast bell and shackle.

 

Options were given to the approaches available and a more interventive one was preferred by the client. To relieve any undue stress to the carved wooden figures, an acrylic tube was added to support the considerable weight of the bronze bell.

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The living bell can be seen on display at the regimental museum, Winchester.

 

https://www.royalhampshireregiment.org/