Handbell Collection

The old city bellman, Norwich
Photograph of an old city bellman in Norwich, UK 1905

Muffin Man / Thomas Crane
The muffin man, with a tray of muffins balanced on his head, rings his handbell to attract the attention of passers-by

Playing in Parts, etched by James Gillray (1757-1815) published by Hannah Humphrey in
NCO191733 Playing in Parts, etched by James Gillray (1757-1815) published by Hannah Humphrey in 1801 (hand-coloured etching) by North

The Female Saints at the Tomb and the Resurrection, detail of the Bell Ringer, 1330
XIR440628 The Female Saints at the Tomb and the Resurrection, detail of the Bell Ringer, 1330 (fresco) by Oliver, Juan (14th century); Museo de Navarra, Pamplona

Humour All blowing and growing Cruikshank 19th century cartoon
This is a cartoon etching by the well-known Victorian social caricaturist / cartoonist George Cruikshank (1792 - 1878), dated May 20th, 1828

King David playing handbells from a 14th century manuscript
King David playing handbells with hammers from a 14th century manuscript of his psalms, with a vignette of a comedian holding bellows and tongs as if playing a fiddle

The Sale of the Royal Windsor Castle Menagerie 1884

London Watchman of the 17th century (engraving)
PNP427720 London Watchman of the 17th century (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures; English, out of copyright

Playing in Parts, pub. 1801 (hand coloured engraving)
3051744 Playing in Parts, pub. 1801 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

December - Christmas Eve
Celebrations on Christmas Eve with singing, dancing and a town crier. From " The Comic Almanack for 1837: An Ephemeris in Jest

MUFFIN SELLER / PETHERICK
A muffin man with a tray of muffins balanced on his head rings a handbell to let people know of the fresh muffins for sale Date: circa 1880

The muffin man, 1841
The muffin man, with a basket of muffins on one arm, rings his handbell and calls out to attract the attention of passers-by. Date: 1841

Mi-Sol-Si - French comedy / clown musical act involving bells
Mi-Sol-Si - French comedy/clown musical act involving bells. Date: circa 1920s

Imogen Holst with James Blades
Imogen Holst and James Blades in Orford Church, early July 1961, with the handbells used in Brittens Noyes Fludde Date: 1961

The muffin man, 1842
The muffin man, with a basket of muffins on one arm, rings his handbell to attract the attention of passers-by. Date: 1842

Handbell ringing
Five Swedish gentlemen in white tie ring an array of bells of different sizes. Date: C.1900

ARP Warden - False Alarm - Pimlico, London
(text taken from photo caption) False Alarm. Mrs Mary Bennet, ARP Warden in Pimlico, London (" river slum district" !)

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

The Ice Cream Seller, 1895 (w / c on paper)
XAM77344 The Ice Cream Seller, 1895 (w/c on paper) by Zafaurek, Gustav (1841-1908); Wien Museum Karlsplatz, Vienna, Austria; Ali Meyer; Austrian, out of copyright

Portrait of Pope Clement IX (1600-69) (oil on canvas)
BAL196417 Portrait of Pope Clement IX (1600-69) (oil on canvas) by Maratta or Maratti, Carlo (1625-1713); 158x118.5 cm; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; Italian, out of copyright

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"Handbell: A Timeless Musical Instrument and Cultural Symbol" The enchanting sound of handbells has echoed through history, captivating audiences across centuries. From the playful scenes etched by James Gillray in the late 18th century to the bustling streets of Norwich with its old city bellman, these musical treasures have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination. Intricately crafted and meticulously tuned, handbells have been wielded by talented individuals like Thomas Crane, known as the Muffin Man. His melodic tunes resonated through London's bustling streets in 1841, bringing joy to all who heard them. But it is not just street vendors who have embraced this instrument; even ancient manuscripts depict King David himself playing handbells during medieval times. The delicate chimes reverberating from his skilled hands symbolized a connection between music and divinity. Beyond their musical prowess, handbells also hold cultural significance. In a humorous twist captured by Cruikshank's 19th-century cartoon "Humour All blowing and growing, " we witness how these instruments were used for entertainment purposes, provoking laughter among spectators. Moreover, they played a role in religious ceremonies as seen in "The Female Saints at the Tomb and the Resurrection. " Here, a detail shows a bell ringer using handbells to announce sacred moments during worship—a testament to their spiritual importance throughout history. From royal menageries being sold off at Windsor Castle to watchmen patrolling London's streets engraved into memory—handbells were present everywhere. They accompanied celebrations such as Christmas Eve gatherings or added charm to everyday life when peddlers like Petherick sold muffins door-to-door while ringing their melodious bells. Playing in parts became an art form itself; musicians would skillfully coordinate their movements to create harmonious melodies that enchanted listeners far and wide.