thumb | Cannon made of bell metal at Malik-e-Maidan, [[Bijapur, Karnataka|Bijapur, India.]]

Bell metal or bell bronze is an alloy used for making bells and related instruments, such as cymbals. It is a form of bronze with a higher tin content than most other bronzes, usually in approximately a 4:1 ratio of copper to tin (typically, 78% copper, 22% tin by mass). The higher tin content increases the rigidity of the metal, and increases the resonance. Historically, it was preferred for early cannons. Today, it also has industrial uses, being specified for valve bodies, piston rings, bearings, and bushings.

Metallurgy

Tin and copper are relatively soft metals that will deform on striking (though tin to a lesser extent than copper), but alloying the two creates bronze, which is harder and less ductile and also one with more elasticity than either of the two original metals. Bell metal in this range of ratios has been used for more than 3,000 years and is known for its resonance and "attractive sound."

A similar alloy is employed for the gongs, saron, demung, and numerous other struck metallophones of the Indonesian gamelan ensembles. In this case the tin:copper ratio is traditionally given as 3:10 by weight. Whereas bells are cast and then left to cool, the metal of Indonesian gongs and metallophones is cast as rough blanks which are then hot-forged to their final shape with hammers.

Cymbals

Cannons

Bell metal was used to cast many early Spanish, Portuguese and "Malay" cannons, most notably the Malay cannon known erroneously as Rentaka. In Java, bell metal mixtures including tin were also used for the manufacture of figurines, objets d'art, sculptures and household goods for the wealthy. This material was also adopted by the Javanese-influenced cultures of Thailand, Khmer and Myanmar. Bell metal is particularly prized for its excellent sonorous qualities, also found in bell metal cannons which produce a distinct, loud ring when fired.

The Javanese lantaka was first cast in bell metal under an Empu of the early Majapahit Empire and spread into the surrounding islands of the Nusantara, Javanese skill in gunsmithing and cannon-founding affording military dominance over the surrounding area. Later, disaffected smiths and noble entourages emigrating from Java brought these cannon-founding skill to Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Myanmar. When Ternate was captured by the Spanish, they were astounded to find over 3,000 very finely cast bell metal cannons in the walled compound, although humorously to the Spaniards these were tied upright to veranda poles, used as lingam household decorations rather than weapons.

Culturally, Javanese bronze cannons and their regional derivatives were traditionally part of a dowry, and offering a poor-quality cast bronze cannon was a supreme insult. Brunei and Malaysia retain the tradition of a token cannon as a dowry for weddings, and many celebrations are opened with a celebratory shot.

Utensils

In India, in the state of Assam, it is called ' while in West Bengal and Odisha, ', it is called ' in Kannada and is used for cooking and eating utensils. Sarthebari in Barpeta district of Assam holds a unique place in the production of ' utensils. In Assam, utensils of ' have many religious uses and the most unusual utensils, ' and ', are used to give offerings and puja or to show respect to honored guests and dignitaries. Belaguntha in Ganjam district, Kantilo in Nayagarh, and Balakati near Bhubaneswar are well known for this craft in Odisha.

In the state of Kerala, ( vessels) bring back memories of (jackfruit halva). In summer when jackfruits are available aplenty, huge quantities of would be made in the backyard over a log fire and consumed in a trice, the richness of fruits, jaggery and ghee. are made from bell metal. (also made from a kind of bell metal) is synonymous with a Tamil bride's first when freshly harvested rice is offered to the sun god with turmeric and sugarcane.

Notes

Further reading

  • 2008 paper - Analysis of high tin bronze for bells