Huge snowflakes fall gently as I gaze outside my living room window, the kids are finishing their blueberry pancakes with applewood smoked bacon, and my husband is watching the Viking’s game on this December afternoon. Today is the perfect day for me to sit down and introduce my newest painting, “Rump Bells of Christmas Past”, but I’d like to share something with you first:
Swedish Rump Bells
One hundred and forty years ago, in the year 1880, my great-great-great-grandparents, Lars and Katarina West, and their three children (three more would be born in the U.S.) arrived on United States soil after traveling from Sweden aboard the ship “Rollo”.
The family carried just one trunk for all five members. In this trunk were at least six Swedish rump bells. At 2-3″ in diameter, Swedish rump bells (made out of brass) are the largest of horse bells. The large size creates a loud, low, clanging sound when rung.
Henry West, Lars and Katarina’s youngest child, eventually left the Swedish rump bells in his granddaughter’s care. Beverly (Bev) Nelson, Henry’s granddaughter, recently recalled the following:
“…Everything they [Lars, Katarina, and children] had for the trip [from Sweden to the U.S.] was in the trunk: their clothes, personal items, food for the trip to America, and the bells. The family made room for the bells, so they were special to them. The rump bells were part of the harness for the horses. The bells sat upright on a leather strap on the horse’s rump so they rang as the horse cantered along… I have a “replacement or different” bell that was with the set… [it] is embedded with “Linderberg Sundsvall”. I was very close to my grandparents and spent a lot of time with them as a child. The bells were one thing I was not permitted to play with. Grandpa was afraid I would shake/ring the bells upside down and that they would break. I feel that grandpa would approve of the bells going back to the farm. To stay in the family…” Beverly Nelson, December 9, 2020
The Bells Return to the Farm
My parents moved to the family farm in 2014 – the same farm that the West family homesteaded on December 5, 1884. A few years after the move, Bev visited and gifted five rump bells to my parents – to the family farm. The bells are now on constant display in a beautiful glass case.
They are, by far, my favorite heirloom in the farmhouse. I know my parents feel very lucky to be the current keepers of the rump bells. Not only because they’re a family heirloom, but because the rump bells are heirlooms that have always been cherished by our family. Around Christmas time, I often think that the rump bells give a small glimpse into our family’s Christmas past.
A Painting Is Born
“Rump Bells of Christmas Past” is a painting of one of the rump bells that came from Sweden with my ancestors. Added to the bell is a horse and sleigh scene – something I imagine as I look at the bells, white pine branches – a tree that is numerous on the family farm, and a red ribbon – a color that is very common in Swedish decor. As the snow continues to fall outside my window, I picture my ancestors tacking up the horses in preparation for their trip to church on Christmas Eve, loading the family into the sleigh or cart, and heading off into the snow as the large, brass rump bells clank low, loud, and clear on that special night – “Rump Bells of Christmas Past”.
May warm family memories fill your Christmas season! I would love if you shared one of your own favorite Christmas memories below, or perhaps something you imagine from your family’s Christmas past.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, and a Happy New Year too!
Background Information on the Detailed Rump Bell – “Linderberg Sundsvall”
I performed a quick search on the detailed rump bell that didn’t match the rest of the bells in the set – this is what I found:
- “Linderberg” stands for “Linderberg’s metal factory (also known as Linderberg’s mechanical workshop and Linderberg’s bell foundry)”,
- “Sundsvall”, Sweden was where the company was located.
- Carl Jacob Linderberg founded Linderberg Metal Factory in 1756,
- The company specialized in brass bell making (especially large church bells) and brass chandeliers.
- American Emhart Glass bought Linderberg’s company in 1952 after nearly 200 years of operation. *Source: Wikipedia
Wonderful photo and family history. Those bells must have meant a lot to your ancestors for them to include them in their trunk. I also have Swedish great-grandparents who arrived in the 1880s. They also settled in Minnesota. Their name was Berggren.
Thanks so much! Do you know whereabouts in Minnesota, Martha? We have a few Swedish “hotspots” where many “landed”.
Beautiful story and the painting is awesome, you are talented in so many ways Erin.
So very happy you enjoyed everything, and thank you so very much for your kind words!
I love this and for sure want to buy a print! Such great family history!
Family history is so much fun. I’m so happy you like the painting, Sheila! I’d be very happy to do a print for you. Just let me know on the size. Thank you!
Erin, that picture is astonishing and I love the story!
Thanks so much, Angela! I miss you!
Thank you for the gift of remembrance, Erin! The Swedes have a perfect saying for this: “Att känna historiens vingslag.” Loose translation is to feel the wings of our forefathers…
Ooh! That gave me chills. Thanks so much for sharing, and what a perfect saying! There is something very real and touching about that saying. It could be a slogan for my website. 🙂
Very interesting, Erin! Loved the history you shared also! What a beautiful picture of the Family Farm! You Are one Talented Gal💞
Mabel, I’m so happy you enjoyed our story! And, thank you for your kind words – Merry Christmas to you!
Erin, this is wonderful! I love the story and love the watercolor. The horse and sleigh as a reflection in the bell is perfect. That image will linger with me through this season. God Jul! Your art is a gift to our family and to all those who know you. Thank you.
Hi, Steve! Thanks so much for your kind words, and I’m SO happy you enjoyed the story and watercolor. We have some wonderful family history, and I love sharing everything with you and the rest of the family too. God jul och gott nytt år till dig och Aggie! Take care, and I hope to see you both soon.
Erin, what a great job you did! I’m so happy our bells ended up back at the farm, and with you folks. The holder is perfect for them, and your story and art work are just fantastic!
Bev
Thank you so very much, Bev! Your sentiments mean a lot. And, thanks again for all of the information and pictures you shared with the family. They make the bells even more special. Merry Christmas to you!
Beautiful story and painting, Erin! I usually make my family’s German Springerle cookies around Christmas, but this year I was in a cookie exchange and made something easier–Molasses Crinkles, which I also love. As a kid we would celebrate St. Nick’s Day, putting out our shoes for candy, a nice precursor to Christmas. We would also do a lot of singing of carols around the piano. In my little town, we usually carol–a tractor pulls us carolers in a big wagon–but that’s not happening this year. Our choir isn’t allowed to sing at Mass; however I am cantoring–only one singer allowed–one of the Christmas Eve Masses this year, so I’m looking forward to that, a new tradition, I hope!
So many wonderful traditions! And, I love your small-town celebrations. I’ve always dreamed of living in a small town. Instead, I’ve always lived in the suburbs of St. Paul. Our current city has nearly 30,000 residents. I’m hoping to change our current living conditions in the very near future. 🙂 Fingers crossed! Enjoy your singing!!!
Oh, I will keep your fingers crossed for you. I always imagine you living on a big farm, Erin! Thank you, and Merry Christmas!