50 



AN(^IEXT ART OF THE PROVINCE (JK CHlKK.a'l 



wlieii the bell is suspended. The lower imvt of the bell forms a 

 conical crown to the head and the ring of suspension is attached to 

 the chin. Double coils of wire take the place of the ears, and the 



Fk 11 Bioii/i bell 



other featuiiN an toiined by setting on bits of the mateiial used in 

 modeling. Tins spec imen belongs to the collection of Mi. Stearns. 

 Many examples of more elaborate workmanship have been recovered 

 from the tombs and are now to be found in the collections of America 

 and Europe. 



A specimen f cnind many years ago on the Rio Grande, near Panama, 

 and figured in Harper's Weekly, was of gold and showed specific 

 variations from the Chiricpiian pieces. It will be seen by reference 

 to the outline given in Fig. i'-i that three very neatly shaped and 

 gracefully ornamented bells are mounted upon a circular plate to 

 which a short handle is attached. It was evidently not intended for 

 suspension, but rather to be held in the hand as a rattle. 



A question as to the authenticity of these bells as aburiginal works 

 very naturally arises, and it iiia\ he .lillicull to slmw td tlir satisfac- . 

 tion of the skeptical mind that any particular specimen is not of 

 European origin or inspiration. At the same time we are not without 

 strong evidences that such bells were in use by the Americans before 

 the advent of the whites. Historical accounts are not wanting, but I 

 shall only stop to point out some of the internal evidences of the 

 native art. The strongest argument is to be found in the pre 



