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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Bell of San Michele
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Bell of San Michele

Artifact IDMO 1945.70.5
Object Type Bell
Artist (Italian)
Maker (Italian)
Dateca. 1944
Mediummetal (bronze, silver)
Dimensionsoverall (height from top of chain) H 33 in x W 8 in x D 7 in (83.8 cm x 20.3 cm x 17.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA gilded metal bell and chain. The exterior of the bell has relief figures of St. Michael and the dragon on one wide side with the inscription: CAMPANA DELLA FORTUNA / SAN. MICHELE. Angels are depicted on the other wide side with the inscription and artist's name: CAPRI / G. Di Pietro. One of the narrow sides of the bell features a relief image of a goat's head and the foundry mark: DI GIACOMO / FONDERIA ART / NAPOLI.
Historical NoteThis bronze bell, called the Bell of San Michele, was a 1944 Christmas gift to Franklin Roosevelt from the people of the Italian island of Capri. Cast from bronze and silver German coins after the liberation of the island in 1943, the bell was shipped to the United States by Capri’s Mayor Giuseppe Brindisi with the hope that it might “ring on the Day of Victory for everlasting Peace and Freedom in all the world.” Accordingly, the bell was rung in the National Archives building to mark V-E Day and V-J Day in 1945.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 7, 1945. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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