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Saucer (Hemisphere) Bells: |
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| Late 1800’s, USA? Possibly made by the Hooper/Blake Foundry, Boston, MA. I’m still trying to find information on this rare and unusual instrument. The best guess from several collectors is that it was probably made for reed organs and activated mechanically from the keyboard. It was called a “cymballa” and is similar to the saucer bells used in Wurlitzer theatre organs in the late 1800’s – early 1900’s. It is a 2½ chromatic (G5 to C7) octave set of bronze saucer (hemisphere, not cup) bells, suspended in 2 rows (15 bells per side) in a wooden rack. Instead of being set up in keyboard order with the “naturals” on one side and “accidentals” on the other, each side plays a whole tone scale (G-B & G#-C). The bells are graduated in size from about 3¼” to 1½” diameter and all are approximately 1” deep. Lathe marks are very prominent outside on most, however 3 were not polished at all and are still mottled with what looks like impressions left from the sand mold. The insides of all the bells are rough also. The fundamental is tuned but not the overtones, which is the norm with hemisphere bells. 2 bells each are secured to 1 cast-iron hanger that is screwed into the frame. The frame measures 19" long x 15 1/4" tall and has small holes (30, 1 for each bell) for rods and strikers (now missing) to fit through (guessing here). The only identifying feature is this decal on the wood: "The Blake Bell Attachment. Patented March 14th. 1882. No. 576." I have done quite a lot of research on old musical bells, but this item is puzzling. If you have any information on this instrument, please let me know! | |
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