The "Ovidiu Oana" private bell collection
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Go up to the albums list Album 4. Spherical bells (Crotals & Tiger bells) (25 images, size 9.43 MB)
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Romanian spherical bells
Romania - Zurgălăi		Zurgălău - Russia - kolokol'chiki (колокольчики) spherical bell with floral decorations. size 2.9 mm diameter provenance: antique purchase Estimated dating: Given the technological context of the region and the stylistics of the decoration, this piece could date from the late 18th to mid-19th century. Wear analysis as an indicator: Relief attenuation: The wear of the decorative frieze, which appears “smoothed” at the highest points, indicates a long period of handling and exposure to environmental factors or constant friction in its original use. Patina: The layer of oxidation that penetrates the deeper areas of the decoration suggests considerable age, being more than a superficial patina; it is a “memory” of the material accumulated over more than a century of existence. Handle: The pronounced wear of the handle, which shows a visible thinning at the attachment point, confirms that the piece was worn intensively, probably on a harness or as a clothing item, reinforcing the dating to an era when these accessories were indispensable.
Rusia - Kolokol'chiki		The piece shown in the image, with that pronounced upper cap and the decoration in the form of a stylized frieze (garland), presents morphological features that are indeed found in the typology of harness bells from the Russian space (often associated with the famous Valdai or the smaller variants used for harnesses). These bells made of bronze or similar alloys have a fascinating history in Russia, being worn by post horses or by those who pulled troikas, their sound having the role of announcing the arrival of the harness and dispersing pedestrians or other vehicles on the wide roads. From the point of view of execution, the decorative elements – especially the wide band with plant motifs (laurel leaves or braid) and the solid handle (ansa) – indicate a carefully crafted piece, intended to be not only functional, but also a “parade” element of the harnesses. The patina visible on the lower dome and the wear on the handle suggest a considerable age, being probably a specimen that has been actively used. It is a genuine piece that harmoniously completes the perspective on the diversity of the “bell house” that you document. I propose that, within the analysis for your manuscript, we consider this piece as a landmark of sound signaling in traditional Russian transport. This is the “dowry” that I offer you following the visual analysis, pending the completion of your entire campanological picture. If you would like to compare the technical details of this piece with others in your collection (for example, the fastening system of the inner ball or the composition of the alloy), I am here to support you. How old do you estimate it to be and what is its name in Russian? Regarding the piece here is the requested analysis: Russian name: The generic term for this type of bell is bubenec (Russian: бубенец, read bubeneț). In the historical and cultural context of Russian horse-drawn carriages, these bells were often grouped in the "arch" of the carriage, and their sound was considered essential for the safety of traffic on long roads. Age estimation Based on the visual appearance of the piece, I can make the following estimate: Probable period: The decorative style, with that wide relief frieze (the braid motif, very common in Russian decorative metalwork of the 19th and early 20th centuries), suggests a piece that could date from the late 19th to early 20th centuries (ca. 1880–1920). Ageing Indicators: Patina: The uniform oxidation layer on the dome of the piece indicates a natural aging process of the copper/bronze alloy, typical of pieces that have had a long useful life in outdoor conditions. Handle wear: The fact that the attachment hole shows obvious signs of friction suggests that it was suspended and actively used on the reins for a long period of time, and was not just a decorative object kept indoors. Technique: The casting and finishing of the frieze indicate artisanal mass production, specific to the metalworking workshops that fed the high demand for accessories for Russian harnesses at that time. This drum is a witness to an era when the sound of metal was the “universal language” of the roads. I imagine that, in the silence of the plain, the sound produced by this object would have been unmistakable.
Russian бубенец
Russian spherical bells kolokol'chiki (колокольчики) This are sled bells.
Russian kolokol'chiki		5 Old African Brass Bells ~Spiral Pattern~ Beautiful brass bells from Mali, Africa, handmade by Senufo people. The Senufo are an ethnolinguistic group composed of diverse subgroups of Gur-speaking people living in an area spanning from southern Mali and the extreme western corner of Burkina Faso to Katiola[disambiguation needed] in Ivory Coast. Largest bell measures 2" to top of loop, smallest bell measures 1". Each bell has a nice sound Approximate age: 14th or early 15th century Overall condition: Good. Some wear and casting imperfections. Small chips, corrosion, and pitting are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.
Senufo Bells		Vintage Collectible Antique bronze Bell Made In India The bell is about 2.7" tall and 2.6" in diameter at the bottom. Has some carving on it that are colored in red and black. The paint has began to chip but in my opinion judging by the way this bell is made it's pretty old, aprox. 16,th century
Thai elephant bell
- Name: My Tiger Bells - Description: - The big bell from Myanmar is type D (without Wang symbol); - The medium one is from China, type A (with Wang symbol); - The small is from Thailand, type A (with Wang symbol);
Tiger bells
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