Bell Ringing Collection

Bell ringing, United Kingdom, Europe

Handbell ringers, St Stephen in Brannel, Cornwall. Probably early 1900s
A group of eleven handbell ringers, possibly outside St Stephen in Brannel parish church. The group is very well dressed. Photographer: Canon Henry Holroyd Mills

Loughborough - Bell-ringing - World Record Change-ringers
Bellringing - World Record Change-ringers - who produced a peal of 18, 027 Stedman Caters - rung in 12 hours and 18 minutes at All Saints, Loughborough on Easter Monday - 12th April, 1909

Fair Bellringers at the Church of St Andrew, Bradfield (litho)
1040499 Fair Bellringers at the Church of St Andrew, Bradfield (litho) by Salmon, Balliol (1868-1953) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fair Bellringers at the Church of St Andrew, Bradfield)

The Peace Rejoicings - Ringing the Bells, 1856. Creator: Unknown
The Peace Rejoicings - Ringing the Bells, 1856. Celebrating the end of the Crimean War. From "Illustrated London News", 1856

Allegory of Abuses by the Authorities of Church and State, 1570-1580. Creator: Gillis Mostaert
Allegory of Abuses by the Authorities of Church and State, 1570-1580. Alternative title: The Haywain: An Allegory of Worldly and Spiritual Abuses

Study, 1856. Creator: Constantin Guys
Study, 1856

The Bow-Bell Peal on Christmas Eve, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Bow-Bell Peal on Christmas Eve, 1850. Illustration to a piece by John Timbs. View of ringers in the belfry in Bow Church, London, during a peal

The Moors on top of the St Marks Clock Tower, St Marks Square, Venice, Veneto, Italy

The Actor Bando Hikosaburo II as Fujitaro, disguised as the ferryman Tomokichi, in the pla... 1767
The Actor Bando Hikosaburo II as Fujitaro, disguised as the ferryman Tomokichi, in the play " Shomei Mugen no Kane, " performed at the Nakamura Theater in the ninth month, 1767, Japan, 1767

Tidings of Death (engraving)
1055899 Tidings of Death (engraving) by Staniland, Charles J. (1838-1916) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tidings of Death)

The carillonist (colour litho)
2780020 The carillonist (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The carillonist. Le carillonneur. Paques fete des cloches)

A bell-ringer struck by lightning (colour litho)
2779645 A bell-ringer struck by lightning (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A bell-ringer struck by lightning. Un sonneur de cloches foudroye)

The Merry-Go-Round, 1931
BAL53485 The Merry-Go-Round, 1931 by Aba Novak, Vilmos (1894-1942); Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest, Hungary; Hungarian, out of copyright

A bell ringer crushed by a church bell (colour litho)
2779570 A bell ringer crushed by a church bell (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A bell ringer crushed by a church bell. Ecrase par une cloche)

Ringing of the bells ot the Giralda, bell tower of Seville Cathedral, on Easter Sunday (colour litho)
2779392 Ringing of the bells ot the Giralda, bell tower of Seville Cathedral, on Easter Sunday (colour litho) by French School

Quarter-boys from Christ Church (pencil & w / c on paper)
2831812 Quarter-boys from Christ Church (pencil & w/c on paper) by English School; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Bristol School, a colour drawing)

Bell ringing at Christmas
LLM454810 Bell ringing at Christmas by Foster, Myles Birket (1825-99); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bell ringing at Christmas)

Ringing the First Peal after the Institute was declared open by Her Majesty (engraving)
1038847 Ringing the First Peal after the Institute was declared open by Her Majesty (engraving) by Staniland, Charles J. (1838-1916) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Bell-Ringing (engraving)
1098005 Bell-Ringing (engraving) by Keene, Charles (1823-91); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bell-Ringing. Illustration for The Illustrated London News)

Christmas Bells (engraving)
1589078 Christmas Bells (engraving) by Frolich, Lorens (1820-1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas Bells. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 21 December 1872)

Christmas Bell-Ringers (engraving)
1107398 Christmas Bell-Ringers (engraving) by Dadd, Frank (1851-1929) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas Bell-Ringers)

Ave Maria prayer card (colour litho)
CHT182090 Ave Maria prayer card (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Mr. & Mrs. L. Edwards of Shepshed, Leices, are ardent bellringers and when their son Nolan was born they used to carry him and lay him on the seat in the bellfry while they rang the bells

Bellringers baby at victory peal. Jimmy Booker, ten months, goes every Sunday to the village church at Shoreham, Kent with his Mum and Dad who are in the bellringing team

Mr. & Mrs. L. Edwards of Shepshed, Leics, are ardent bellringers and when their son Nolan was born they used to carry him and lay him on the seat in the belfry while they rang the bells

Bells, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes, 1888. 1888
Bells, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes, 1888

Monk calling to prayer at Keur Moussa Abbey, Keur Moussa, Senegal, West Africa, Africa

Anton Brees playing the Sanctuary Bells at the Singing Tower - near Lake Wales, Florida, USA (Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary). Date: circa 1930s

Blagovest. Artist: Dubovskoy, Nikolai Nikanorovich (1859-1918)
Blagovest. Private Collection

Peace rejoicings, 1856. From The Illustrated London News (31 May 1856)

Initial letter O, 14th century, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
Initial letter O, 14th century, (1843). Musicians playing on bells, pipes and stringed instruments. Illustration from Dresses

The Bell Ringer from The Complete Works of Beranger, 1836. Creator: John Thompson
The Bell Ringer from The Complete Works of Beranger, 1836

Roger Smith, Bell Ringer (engraving)
XJF438411 Roger Smith, Bell Ringer (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Roger Smith (dates unknown)

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"Bell Ringing: A Timeless Tradition Across Europe" From the historic bell towers of Loughborough, United Kingdom, to the enchanting St Marks Square in Venice, it has captivated people for centuries. This age-old practice is deeply rooted in European culture and continues to resonate with communities worldwide. In Loughborough, a group of dedicated change-ringers made history by setting a world record. Their synchronized handbell ringing echoed through the town, showcasing their exceptional skill and passion for this art form. Meanwhile, in St Stephen's Church in Brannel, Cornwall, an old photograph captures early 1900s handbell ringers immersed in their craft – a testament to the enduring nature of bell ringing. Venturing beyond British shores takes us to Italy's picturesque city of Venice. Atop the iconic St Marks Clock Tower on The Moors lies a set of bells that have rung out across Veneto for generations. These bells add an ethereal charm to this romantic cityscape and serve as a reminder of its rich cultural heritage. It also finds its place within artistic expressions throughout history. In one captivating print from 1767 by Kitao Shigemasa titled "The Actor Bando Hikosaburo II as Fujitaro, " we witness an actor disguised as a ferryman who plays his part alongside bells that symbolize dramatic tension and anticipation. However, not all depictions are joyous; some reveal darker moments tied to this ancient tradition. Engravings like "Tidings of Death" or "A Bell Ringer Crushed by a Church Bell" remind us that even amidst celebration and harmony lies danger – cautionary tales etched into lithographs forever preserving these unfortunate incidents. Yet despite such risks associated with bell ringing over time, it remains cherished around the globe.