Monastic Bell

This large monastic hand bell is largely composed of iron, but with some interesting areas of bronze brazing along the outside edges. Bells such as these would have been used in prayer and worship, and were an important part of early Medieval monastic life in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

While the bronze areas were found to be in relatively stable condition, the iron surfaces were actively corroding, particularly on the interior (see below), and extensive treatment was required in order to stabilize the object.

The corroded iron surfaces were cleaned using glass bristle brushes, reducing as much of the corrosion as possible without damaging the metal substrate underneath. The bell was then treated with a corrosion inhibiting solution to minimize the risk of it reoccurring in the future.

Above & below - Monastic Hand Bell, before conservation (left) and after conservation (right)

Below: Monastic Hand Bell interior, before conservation (left) and after conservation (right)