It is late summer and the dragonflies are dancing around open grassy yards and fields. Of course this scene should be captured on a bell flare, in this case a 1952 Conn 4D, serial number 409613. The bell flare was straightened, delacquered, cleaned, and fitted with an Alexander compatible ring made of bronze for its good wear and low friction properties.
Seven different dragonfly silhouettes have been applied to this bell in a somewhat random placement representing dragonfly swarms in late summer. The dragonflies have nickel silver wings and copper bodies, all of which have been soldered onto the bell flare.
The bell with its bell ring weighed 371g before the applique design was applied. It weighs 383g after the artwork was applied. This vintage bell has been around the block and proudly wears a variety of battle scars from decades of musical instrument service; it still sounds great on my horn.
