Crotal Cow Bell Chad Sieber Collection

Crotal bells—derived from the Greek krotalon, meaning castanet or rattle—are small hollow bells or rattles produced across a wide range of cultures. In the Americas, they were made by various pre-Columbian societies, while in Europe, their manufacture likely dates back to before the early Middle Ages. Many foundries cast bells of this type, with the Robert Wells bell foundry of Aldbourne, Wiltshire, noted for producing one of the broadest ranges. Early medieval examples were formed in two halves, with a metal “pea” inserted before being soldered or crimped together. By around 1400, they were more commonly cast as a single piece enclosing a loose metal ball.

Also known as rumble bells, crotal bells were widely used on horse-drawn vehicles prior to the advent of motorized transport. Typically made of bronze and featuring a slit along one side, they emitted a distinctive jingling sound to alert others—especially on rural roads—to an approaching vehicle. Smaller bells were attached to leather-and-iron brackets on a horse’s harness above the collar, while larger examples were mounted directly onto the wooden frames of wagons, such as those used for deliveries.

Provenance: Roy Sieber Collection

Roy Sieber has been called the Grandfather of African Art Study. He trained many of the African Art scholars of past generations, including Dr. Daniel Mato, who has been a consultant to Africa Direct for many years. This piece is from the Sophia and Roy Sieber Collection.

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