bell
Mission Bell Baja California. Bell with molded floral decorations and inscriptions reading "1810 Mejico"
- Object: bell
- Artist: -
- Circa: 1810
- Dimensions: 30cm
- Culture Area: mesoamerica
- Cultural Group: -
- Cultural Context: Commonly mistaken for Mission bells, these bells were cast to commemorate Mexico's independence from the Spanish. Texture variation between the background design element, date, and an image of the Virgin de Guadalupe suggest that the latter were an addition to the original mold. It was common practice to modify Spanish molds, thereby creating a wide variety of commemorative bells. Why 1810? On the morning of September 16th, 1810, the parish priest of the town of Dolores, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, declared himself in open revolt against Spanish rule from the pulpit of his church, launching the Mexican War of Independence. He exhorted his following to take up arms and join him in his fight against the injustices of the Spanish colonial system and within moments he had an army of some 600 men. This action became known as the "Grito de Delores" or "Cry of Dolores" and today Mexicans celebrate September 16 as their Independence Day.
- Donor: Warren and Maile Arnold
- Catalog #: 113.017