Farm bells called people in for dinner long before anyone had a phone. The Large Country Bell keeps that job alive. It hangs from a decorative wall bracket with two clappers, so a pull gives a proper ring rather than a tinkle. It’s bought for back porches, barns, camps and lake houses, and it’s a favorite gift for people who’ve just bought a place in the country.

What makes a Large Country Bell different

Most bells of this type were cast iron, and cast iron rusts. This one is cast in the USA from recycled aluminum, which doesn’t. It carries an all-weather coating that is covered by a five-year warranty, so the black finish stays black. Aluminum is also a good deal lighter than iron, which makes it easier to hang.

The bracket on the Large Country Bell is part of the design, with scrollwork that frames the bell against the wall. The two clappers hang inside and strike when you swing the bell.

Finish

It comes in Black only. On a weathered barn board or a painted porch post, black is the right call anyway. It reads as old iron from a distance and needs none of iron’s care.

Where to hang it

Put it where it can be reached and heard: beside a kitchen door, on a porch post, at the top of a dock path. Because it’s a working bell, give it room to swing without hitting siding or trim. Children tend to find it within minutes, so mount it at a height you’re comfortable with.

If you want something smaller, the bells category has a medium version and several personalized welcome bells. For other cast pieces that live outdoors, the hooks and hangers use the same aluminum and coating. Rinse the Large Country Bell with water now and then; there’s nothing to polish.