San Estevan Mission Wind Bell: A Tribute to the "City in the Sky"
Architectural Resilience & Hand-Forged Spirit
The San Estevan is a cornerstone of the Mission Wind Bell Collection™. Inspired by the San Estévan del Rey Mission at Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico—famously known as the "City in the Sky"—this design honors one of the most significant 17th-century structures in the Southwest. It is a work of Modernist Alchemy, designed to bring a sense of grounded, historical gravity to contemporary landscapes and interior sanctuaries.
Artisan Craftsmanship: The Modern Frontier
While early frontier bells were often crudely cast in sand molds using melted copper pots, the San Estevan represents a modern evolution of the craft. Individually hand-fabricated by Master Craftsman Marc Staples, this bell is built for lifetime durability.
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Material Integrity: Hand-wrought from architectural steel and select repurposed materials, ensuring a rugged "Frontier" aesthetic that refuses to compromise on quality.
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The Maker’s Mark: Every original bell is hand-stamped with the artist’s monogram—a small "M" on the striker—guaranteeing its provenance as a genuine Marc Staples original.
Historical Narrative: A Legend of 20,000 Tons
The mission at Acoma Pueblo (est. 1629) is a testament to human endurance. Every stone and every ounce of earth—some 20,000 tons in total—was hand-carried up the steep, soaring slopes of the mesa to create the church, convent, and cemetery. Our San Estevan bell captures this spirit of monumental effort and quiet beauty, transforming the history of the Sky City into a functional work of sound art.
Technical Specifications
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Total Display Length: Approximately 21 inches (includes a 10-inch heavy-duty hanging chain).
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Body Dimensions: 11" High (Body + Striker) x 5" Wide x 3" Deep.
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Material: Hand-fabricated steel and curated architectural metals.
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Finish: Signature torched-copper patina with a high-gloss protective sealant.
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Origin: Handcrafted in Buffalo Junction, Virginia, USA.
1. Designer Notes (Metafield)
Paste this into your Designer Notes field. It frames the "20,000 Ton" legacy as the core inspiration for the bell's "Grounded Gravity."
Master Craftsman Intent: The San Estevan is a cornerstone of the original Mission Wind Bell Collection™, designed by Marc Staples to honor the "City in the Sky"—the San Estévan del Rey Mission at Acoma Pueblo (est. 1629). It is a work of Modernist Alchemy that transforms the monumental endurance of the Acoma mesa into a functional sound sculpture for contemporary landscapes and modern interior sanctuaries.
Technical Engineering & Materiality: Hand-fabricated from architectural steel and curated architectural metals, the San Estevan is engineered for "Grounded Gravity." Unlike mass-produced chimes, it utilizes heavy-gauge materials to produce a resonant percussive tone that reflects the rugged "Frontier" aesthetic. It is built to outlast the elements, maintaining its refined silhouette through decades of display.
Historical Resonance: This piece captures the spirit of the Acoma people who hand-carried 20,000 tons of earth and stone up the soaring slopes of the mesa to build the mission. The San Estevan bell serves as a melodic tribute to this monumental effort, bridging 17th-century southwestern history with modern "American Made" fine art.
Artisan Metadata: Individually hand-wrought at Lago Luna Studio. Every San Estevan features the hand-stamped "M" monogram on the striker and our signature torched-copper patina—a reactive "Living Finish" protected by a high-gloss sealant to ensure lasting vibrancy and studio provenance.
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