Description

This magnificent bell bears the date 1779. It was cast for a property in Geneva. The letters FPJDNDF are the initials of FAITE PAR JEAN-DANIEL DREFFET (“Made by Jean-Daniel Dreffet”). Jean-Daniel Dreffet, originally from Coppet and later established in Geneva, lived from 1746 to 1817. He was a cousin of Pierre Dreffet, who settled in Vevey and worked extensively for the cantons of Vaud, Valais, and Fribourg. Jean-Daniel produced a significant number of bells for the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, as well as for Haute-Savoie. His most notable surviving work is the D♭3 bell of the Baulmes Temple (Vaud, Switzerland). The bell shows no chipping, though there is minor wear on the inner surface where the clapper strikes the sound ring—evidence of its use. The pulling arm is present, complete with an S-shaped hook designed to hold a wire or chain, and it retains a beautifully crafted forged handle. At the top, the bell has a single handle fitted into the base of the yoke. Its external diameter at the lower rim measures 23.5 cm, and its height is approximately 32 cm to the top of the iron mount. The total weight with the structure is slightly over 10.00 kilograms For international delivery, please contact Geneva Collections Inv: G25117