This Modern Southwest-inspired rustic wind bell named "San Lorenzo Mission Bell" is a recent addition to our new Collection we call Frontier Bells™ and is a gorgeous addition to any home, deck, patio, greenhouse, or garden. It makes a perfect gift for a anyone that enjoys creating their own unique outdoor environment.

This exclusively designed windbell resonates with a beautiful earthy tone.

The length of the bell body and the striker is about 10 inches. The width is approximately 3 inches by 3 inches. Our rustic bells are not cast as in the old days. Instead, we make our Frontier Bells from high quality steel and repurposed materials that we patina to create a beautiful, natural finish. Due to their handmade nature each and every bell is unique.

Created by Marc Staples in the Lago Luna Lakeside Studio. To guarantee authenticity each one of our Wind Bells and Chimes bears the monogram of the artist… a small "M" on the striker.

A Bit Of Mission Bell History...

The San Lorenzo Mission, located in the area of Texas now known as El Paso, Mission San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz was a short-lived Franciscan mission established for the Indians at a large spring on the upper Nueces River in what was then the northern border of New Spain. Founded in 1762 by Franciscan missionaries, San Lorenzo was built for Lipan Apaches in hopes of pacifying their attacks along the northern frontier and as a way of maintaining Spanish control in the face of threats by the French.

Early missions at their founding were to have two bells, one presumably for devotions and the other for the day's routine, but all missions in time had as many as eight. The later bells were obtained in trade by way of American ships from Lima, Mexico, Boston, and Russian sources.

Due to lack of funds, most small villages had to make their own bells. In the 19th century, several bell casters traveled around New Mexico making them on the spot.

The villagers collected all their copper pots, pans, cups and plates, and these were melted down in a huge kettle. Because a bell composed entirely of copper had a dull ring, the villagers often threw some of their gold and silver jewelry into the mix.
Locally made bells were crudely cast in a sand mold in the ground. Fine bells imported from Spain or Mexico often had a saint’s name and a date included on their outer surfaces as part of the original casting.

Each of our mission bells is individually handcrafted in Virginia applying time-honored American Craftsman techniques. Part of our "All Things Made Better in America" mindset.