Harness bell

In 2007, this 19th century harness bell was recovered during the excavation of the Jacob Bechtel archaeological site by Archaeological Services Inc. It features a horse shoe pattern. Decorated bells like this one were often referred to as ‘petal bells’, because they featured a repeating petal or horseshoe design. The designs are typical of traditional cast bells from Europe, manufactured primarily in the mid-19th century. The small size suggests this bell was a rump bell. Remarkably, despite nearly two-hundred years, this bell still rings.