Small Bells Research Articles

A Large Pre-Columbian Copper Bell from the Southwest

Pre-Columbian copper in the ruins of the Southwest occurs chiefly in the form of bells, numerous examples of which have been illustrated in the literature. Generally these are of the “hawk's” or “sleigh” bell type, characterized by a spherical or pear-shaped resonator, free clapper, and an eyelet for suspension. In diameter they range from about 10 to 40 millimeters and, on the whole, are devoid of any ornamental features. Exceptions to this, of course, have been found,’ notably a few small bells with “wire work,” the effigy bell noted by Fewkes, and the large Delgar Ruin bell described by Hough. Since the larger examples are apt to display complicated technical and ornamental treatments, more can be done with these than with the small bells by way of pinning down their origins to centers where the metallurgist's art flourished.

Amplification of Small Bells

Amplification of Small Bells

The Church Bells of Linlithgowshire

Sometimes bells were multiplied in a church tower without regard to the musical relation of their notes, such a collection of bells being rung together at haphazard, or the single bells used separately. Another method was to cast a large number of small bells upon which tunes could be played. After the Reformation period there was a great development on the Continent of these musical bells, the sets of which are known as carillons : the bells themselves were fixed " dead," as it\r\nis called, and struck by hammers operated by a system of wires attached to a row of keys or levers. A few of these are known in larger Scottish churches. As far as bells are concerned, Scotland has till recently been Continental in practice, and\r\nlittle, if at all, influenced by England. In Linlithgowshire there are twelve old churches, or churches representing old churches, in which ancient bells remain or\r\nin which they could have survived and six with modern bells.

Small bells

Small bells Get access W. J. D. W. J. D. 1Ashen, Essex Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Notes and Queries, Volume s2-VII, Issue 178, 28 May 1859, Page 446, https://doi.org/10.1093/nq/s2-VII.178.446d Published: 28 May 1859

Small bells

Journal Article Small bells Get access G. W. M. G. W. M. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Notes and Queries, Volume s2-VII, Issue 176, 14 May 1859, Page 394, https://doi.org/10.1093/nq/s2-VII.176.394g Published: 14 May 1859