Posted 11 years ago
Stillwater
(217 items)
This was the real score of the day, an original Soleri bronze windbell from the Arcosanti foundry right down the street in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its a double-bell actually, with a baby bell in place of a windcatcher.
Paolo Soleri was a neat guy, he had all these wacky theories on ecology and architecture, and he built a huge prototypical community out in the desert with the proceeds from selling these windbells for 40-50 years. They have become a symbol of my home state of Arizona, so I really, really love finding them. You see them in these old Arizona homes, so I always check the back patios at estate sales looking for them.
Even though its worth about 250-300, I can't bear to sell it... I just love anything Arizona since its my home state. My mother collects them as well, I might post some of her collection. They are really a CLASSIC symbol of Arizona.
Another great object. What a great piece! Emblematic of an Age!
Thanks V!
You should hear the way they chime hanging from a Palo Verde tree in a warm Arizona breeze
They're real popular locally here. Some of them are very large and valuable, 1,000-1,500 all the way up to $2,500 US.
I wish you luck in your search for more. They are great! I think I'd seen them in movies, TV some time back. Iconic!
i really love these soleri bells!
Thanks Cultcha! Aren't they the neatest?
Do you live far away from Arizona? I always wondered if they were just a local thing or if they were spread out around the country. It seems like I only see them for sale from AZ
A new treasure to hunt!
I'm not even sure what it is about these magnificent pieces of art that fascinate me. I have a collection of soleri bells that has taken 15 years to amass. Recently a fellow bell collector passed and his children have asked for my assistance selling there fathers collection. All total there is 37 bronze soleri bells in his collection along with sculptures and ceramics. Anyone interested in purchasing an original soleri piece please let me know.(troy.reece at gmail dot com) I want to find collectors who truly appreciate these as much as I do. I've kept 7 so far for myself. Oops. Does anyone know if there is anyway to determine date of manufacture of these other than patina wear ect.