CNG 85, Lot: 1648. Estimate $200. Sold for $205. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Bronze bell. Nabataean, 1st century BC-2nd century AD. Decorated with four facing heads, all similar. Height: 2.3cm. Thick earthen deposits. Clapper missing and very minor damage below one face, otherwise in nice condition. Rare and interesting.

Such bells were probably sewn onto garments or worn around the neck. Their function was certainly apotropaic in nature - that is, to ward off bad luck and protect against the “evil eye”.