Antique Forbes California Mission Bell Collection
WOW! Super-rare! Here's a 100-year-old COMPLETE collection of miniature souvenir bronze bell replicas of ALL 21 California missions. Does such a collection exist anywhere else?!!!
Acquired from an estate where the collector carved an oak wood arch to hang each bell in a mission bell tower. Bells are attached to each arch with red ribbon. (I've used additional chunks of redwood to elevate the arches so the bells would hang correctly for photographic purposes; arches are merely balanced on these pieces.)
These bronze bells were designed and cast by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes of Los Angeles between 1914 and 1937. Forbes visited many of the missions of the southwest and sketched what she could see of the bells hanging in the towers. Singularly, these bells fetch $30-$40.
Largest bells (such as top center in first photo) measure 2" tall, 2” diameter. All are in very good condition, showing micro-dust in nooks and crannies from the past 100 years. Each makes the loveliest delicate ring, and all in unison is jaw-dropping!
It was my intent to construct a stand to properly display this museum-worthy collection which it deserves- see image of my crude layout mimicking that of a mission's bell wall. I handcraft authentic looking displays for my larger mission bells which you can view on my RaincrossCraftworks website. If you would like a stand created, please contact me.
Free expedited US shipping.
WOW! Super-rare! Here's a 100-year-old COMPLETE collection of miniature souvenir bronze bell replicas of ALL 21 California missions. Does such a collection exist anywhere else?!!!
Acquired from an estate where the collector carved an oak wood arch to hang each bell in a mission bell tower. Bells are attached to each arch with red ribbon. (I've used additional chunks of redwood to elevate the arches so the bells would hang correctly for photographic purposes; arches are merely balanced on these pieces.)
These bronze bells were designed and cast by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes of Los Angeles between 1914 and 1937. Forbes visited many of the missions of the southwest and sketched what she could see of the bells hanging in the towers. Singularly, these bells fetch $30-$40.
Largest bells (such as top center in first photo) measure 2" tall, 2” diameter. All are in very good condition, showing micro-dust in nooks and crannies from the past 100 years. Each makes the loveliest delicate ring, and all in unison is jaw-dropping!
It was my intent to construct a stand to properly display this museum-worthy collection which it deserves- see image of my crude layout mimicking that of a mission's bell wall. I handcraft authentic looking displays for my larger mission bells which you can view on my RaincrossCraftworks website. If you would like a stand created, please contact me.
Free expedited US shipping.
WOW! Super-rare! Here's a 100-year-old COMPLETE collection of miniature souvenir bronze bell replicas of ALL 21 California missions. Does such a collection exist anywhere else?!!!
Acquired from an estate where the collector carved an oak wood arch to hang each bell in a mission bell tower. Bells are attached to each arch with red ribbon. (I've used additional chunks of redwood to elevate the arches so the bells would hang correctly for photographic purposes; arches are merely balanced on these pieces.)
These bronze bells were designed and cast by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes of Los Angeles between 1914 and 1937. Forbes visited many of the missions of the southwest and sketched what she could see of the bells hanging in the towers. Singularly, these bells fetch $30-$40.
Largest bells (such as top center in first photo) measure 2" tall, 2” diameter. All are in very good condition, showing micro-dust in nooks and crannies from the past 100 years. Each makes the loveliest delicate ring, and all in unison is jaw-dropping!
It was my intent to construct a stand to properly display this museum-worthy collection which it deserves- see image of my crude layout mimicking that of a mission's bell wall. I handcraft authentic looking displays for my larger mission bells which you can view on my RaincrossCraftworks website. If you would like a stand created, please contact me.
Free expedited US shipping.