Handmade Desert Bells

Handmade desert bell from India. Age-old tradition of bronze bell craftsmanship. Each bell is shaped and fired by hand, then individually tuned. Hand made and fairly traded in India.

Height by Size
Size 6: 4"
Size 7: 4.75"
Size 8: 5.25"
Size 10: 6.25"
Size 12: 9"
Size 13: 12"

These bells are made by Janmamad Luhar in the Kutch desert region of western India. Janmamad employs an ancient technique of bell-making, passed on to him through generations. Janmamad's brother and uncle, as well as the women in the family also participate in the making of these bells.

The bells are formed from sheets of recycled steel. They are shaped, riveted without welding, then dipped in a copper slurry. Women make a dough that they pat around the bells to protect the metal during the firing process; the bells are then buried under the hot desert sand in a kiln and fired for three days. The heat anneals the metals, welding them into bronze, giving each piece its unique patina. After firing, the protective dough is chipped off, and each bell is individually hand-tuned. 

Handmade in Gujerat, India.