Establishing provenance and ownership
The process of repatriating a bell can be complex and sensitive, as it involves issues of ownership, cultural heritage, and international law. It should always begin with dialogue. Repatriating a bell cannot be performed in a vacuum and it is not a one-sided process.
Intent, goodwill, and collaboration should be established between both the possessor and the claimant, although recalcitrance on the side of the possessor should not be a deterrent in the pursuit of bell repatriation. Indeed, it is most often the case. Education, community involvement, and persistence are key to overcoming any obstruction.
Repatriating a bell requires the rightful owner or country of origin to be established and accepted on both sides. While this seems straightforward enough, it can sometimes be a difficult task, as many cultural artifacts have been traded or sold over the centuries or may have complicated histories. Researching the provenance, or ownership history, of the bell can help establish its origin and identify any previous owners or collectors.
Once the rightful owner of a bell has been identified (whether an individual, an institution such as a church, a municipality, or a country), you must then contact the appropriate authorities in the country of origin, working with legal representatives to navigate any international laws or agreements that may be in place.
Keep in mind, some nations have laws that limit the repatriation of artifacts like bells which now serve as memorials to war dead or which reside in national collections. This might prohibit a bell’s export to its nation of origin. Be prepared for some resistance from museums, collectors, or governments who dispute ownership claims.
Section image: Bishop Gebhard Fürst stands in front of the Maria Hilfe der Christen church in Aichtal, Germany, on September 24, 2021. He sounds a historical bell that is to be repatriated to the Czech Republic as part of the ‘Peace Bells for Europe’ project that facilitates the return of bells looted during World War II to Polish and Czech parishes. The bell hangs next to a replacement bell for the church.