8 BULLETIN 136, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



In each frame three bells of bamboo are suspended. When the frame 

 is swung from side to side the striking of studs against the square 

 holes in the base causes the bells in the frame to sound. It is said 

 that each set gives a fundamental tone with its first and second 

 octave; each set of bells is held by a different player, and the tones 

 of the melody are sounded one after another by the proper player 

 swinging his frame of bells. The effect is said to be very pleasing 

 to the ear. 



The metal hand bell probably preceded the bell which was sus- 

 pended, indeed the bells were comparatively small until the thirteenth 

 century. The earliest attempt at bell music seems to have consisted 

 in striking a row of small bells with a hammer held in the hand, and 

 illustrations on manuscripts of the twelfth or thirteenth century 

 show this manner of playing upon 3, 4, or 8 bells. In the religious 

 fervor of the Middle Ages these sets of bells were made larger, hung 

 in towers, and rung by means of ropes. Such sets averaged about 10 

 bells and were known as chimes. From these were developed the car- 

 illon, which prospered especially in the flat countries of Belgium and 

 Holland where they could be heard a long distance. The carillon 

 at Ghent contains 52 bells and several other old carillon have more 

 than 40 bells on which music in two or three parts can be played. 

 The recent development of the carillon is of importance, there being 

 187 carillons in existence at the present time (1925), many of which 

 are in the United States. England, for many centuries, has been 

 famous for its bell foundries, and the finest carillons are now made in 

 that country. By its tuning in " equal temperament " as well as by its 

 extended compass the carillon has taken its place among accurate 

 musical instruments. The importance of a carillon depends upon 

 the size of its lowest bell, the largest existing carillon bell being 98 

 inches in diameter, weighing 20,720 pounds, and giving the tone E 

 below middle C. One bell is provided for each half tone of the 

 diatonic scale, the number ranging from 23 to 53 bells, set in vibra- 

 tion by a keyboard and elaborate connecting mechanism. 



Metal is such an enduring substance that many bells have come 

 down to us from antiquity, giving forth the same sound as of old 

 but unable to tell us their history. Thus a certain bronze bell bears 

 a procession of warriors in low relief, an elephant bearing trophies, 

 and a prisoner walking beside it. A story of triumph is recorded in 

 the metal but still is veiled in mystery. 



The bell once used by a Buddhist priest (96G33, pi. hd) is orna- 

 mented with animals, and its handle is the figure of a double-faced 

 god. Among other hand bells exhibited is 95623 (pi. 5/) , from Korea, 

 which represents a bud showing five petals. A loop is cast in the 

 crown of the bell from which a forged iron clapper is swung by a 

 wire link. No. 94862 (pi. 5a), from China, is a small cast bronze 



