Wind bell

Classification(s):
Pottery
Date: c.1951-1976
Medium: Ceramic
Object number: P726D
Place of Production:Japan
DescriptionUnglazed terracotta wind bell, in the form of a body with painted eyes. Made in Japan. Maker unknown. The body of the bell is painted teal. There is a looped leather string which allows the chime to be hung from a hole at top. The strikers are suspended from the leather string and are in the form of a pair of legs, the feet have detached and are missing. The strikers make a sound as they hit the terracotta body. Small adhesive label to inside reads “Japan”.
ProvenanceThe collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.

The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.

The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.

COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.

After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.

The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts.

ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.