Authentic Swiss Saignelegier 1878 Bell With Wooden Yoke Appraisal

Authentic Swiss Saignelegier 1878 Bell with Wooden Yoke

This is a classic cast brass or bronze ‘Saignelegier’ bell, a style originating from the Jura region of Switzerland. The bell features a characteristic flared rim and a traditional rounded waist. It is cast with the prominent date '1878' and the geographical maker's mark 'SAIGNELEGIER' in raised serif lettering. Decorative floral roundels or rosettes are visible above the text, flanking the upper portion of the bell. The bell is mounted to a substantial, hand-carved wooden rocking yoke, which has been finished in a distressed teal or forest green paint. The wood shows significant age, with several areas of paint loss, chipping, and exposed grain, particularly along the top ridge. Metal hardware, including a central bolt and side eyelet screws, secures the bell to the frame. The metal surface of the bell exhibits a heavy, authentic patination with signs of oxidation and surface pitting consistent with an item that has spent time in an agricultural or exposed setting. This style of bell, though dated 1878, was produced for decades and is an iconic example of European folk art and pastoral metalwork. The craftsmanship is robust, intended for functional use on livestock, though this specific assembly on a wooden mount suggests it was later repurposed as a handheld call bell or decorative mantel piece.