Types of Sleigh Bells

Sleigh bells can be used on four-legged animals, usually horses, or for music.

Sleigh bells are a part of winter that can stir up nostalgic feelings of past holiday seasons. The bells are featured in Christmas songs such as "Jingle Bells." Sleigh bells have been used on horses since the Romans, and were introduced in the United States in the 1800s. The bells can be used for more than entertainment; for example, they can be used for safety on stretches of roads where horses are used for transportation.

Petal Bells

Made of cast brass, petal bells are the standard sleigh bell. The bell has been manufactured for more than 400 years, sized between ¾ and 4 inches. Petal bells are defined by a line that runs around the circumference. Shapes of petals circle the top of the line; these are divided by a slit with rounded ends to about halfway down the bell. Roughly four to eight flower petals are featured on each bell.

Swedish Bells

Swedish bells are known for their enormous size in comparison to typical sleigh bells. The size makes for a more resounding clanging sound. After each bell is cast, a narrow slit is cut through to about the center. Sometimes two or three slits are cut through to the center of the bells. A hip, or rump, strap is often used to strap the bells; these are made of heavy, wide and short leather. A thinner strap is also used to lock the top hoop of the bell into position. Four bells are generally linked to the same leather pieces.

Egg Bells

Egg bells can come in three shapes and sizes, but they are generally egg shaped. Like the other bells, they feature a slit through the narrower top of the bell to around the center. However, unlike the other bells, circles aren't added to the bottom of each side of the slits. Four holes are cast in the bottom to release sound. Egg bells were especially popular around the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Crotals

Crotals are two halves of a ball that are cast together. On the first half, or top, a slit is cut to just before the base. The base of the top is fatter than the rest of the bell. Circles encompass the bottom of each side of the slit. The bottom half has two large holes at the top and two that are smaller at the bottom. A ring is attached to the base for tying.

References

• Classic Bells: Sleigh Bell Designs
• Equine Ink: Sleigh Bells are the Sound of Winter