Lafleur House - Horse
These items are all related to harness for a single horse or team. The harness clip is an easy-to-use attachment tool for linking important components. The composition ring is both a functional and decorative element of a halter. The sleigh bell would have been part of a long string used to signal the presence of a sleigh with a musical jingle.
Sleigh Bell
Collection: Lafleur House and Summer Kitchen
Object: Bell
Material: Copper-alloy
Period: Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century
Decorative and functional copper-alloy sleigh bell. Each type (steel, bronze or brass and nickel-plated) and size of bell had its own particular tone. The horses' gait would generate a rhythmic jingle quite pleasant to passengers in the cutter or sleigh. Pioneers who took particular pride their harness, would spend a great deal on strings of bells to signal their presence on a winter night.
