Daniel Bell (1840–1915) was a British church decorative artist and sculptor born in Silton, Dorset and died in Willesden.
Early life Bell was the younger brother of Alfred Bell (1832–1895) of Clayton and Bell."England and Wales Census, 1841", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQYH-3SS Entry for Jeramiah Bell and Leah Bell, 1841. Silton, Dorset, England In 1861 he was living with and assisting his brother Alfred in St Pancras, London."England and Wales Census, 1861", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7RF-8S5 Entry for Alfred Bell and Jane Bell, 1861. Rochester Terrace, St Pancras, Middlesex
Career He went on to start in business on his own, making stained glass and church fittings, forming partnerships with James Redfern and the architect Richard Almond (1841–87). Bell, Redfern and Almond, 'Sculptors and Glass Painters', were located in Charlotte Street, Portland Place. By 1871 Daniel and his family were still living in St Pancras, giving his occupation as 'Glass & Mural Painter & Sculptor';"England and Wales Census, 1871", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VB66-B6D Entry for Daniel Bell and Mary Bell, 1871. St Pancras, Middlesex he employed 16 men and 11 boys. The partnership with Redfern ended in 1868 and ended with Almond in 1872. By 1878 he was working by himself in Margaret Street and two years later in Bolsover Street. In 1881 the family lived in Hammersmith"England and Wales Census, 1881", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q273-7SS5 Entry for Daniel Bell and Mary Bell, 1881. and in 1891 and 1901 in Paddington, describing himself as 'Decorative Artist'"England and Wales Census, 1891", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:3PH2-YPZ Entry for Daniel Bell and Mary Bell, 1891. or 'Ecclesiastical Artist'."England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X943-962 : 20 May 2019), Daniel Bell, Paddington, London, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing St Mary Paddington subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. By 1911 he was retired."England and Wales Census, 1911", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW24-LR4 : 17 May 2019), Daniel Bell, Paddington, London, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
Personal life In 1864 he married Mary Cobbe (b 1843, Bengal, India)"United Kingdom, British India Office, Births and Baptisms, 1712-1965", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6VT1-1QXM : 20 January 2023), Mary Cobbe, 1843. at St Mary Magdalene's, Munster Square. They had nine children. Bell died 1915 in Willesden.
Gallery
Works (incomplete)
St Mary Magdalene, Paddington. Nave ceiling.
St Michael and All Angels, Bedford Park. 1880. East window (destroyed) and clerestory windows.
St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. 1870s. Tiled panels in the nave with scenes from the life of Jesus.
Grove Gardens Chapel, Richmond, London. 1877. Mosaic reredos and stained glass windows.
Bell, Redfern and Almond St Stephen's Church, Camden Town. 1866.
St Mary Magdalene's, Munster Square. 1867. Frescoes
Bell and Almond
All Saints Church, Bradley, Hampshire. 1869. Three light window showing the crucifixion.
All Saints Church, Shouldham, Norfolk. 1870. Reredos. 1877. East window
St Peter's Church, Lampeter, Ceredigion, Wales. 1870. South aisle stained glass of St David
Holy Trinity Church, Wolverton, Buckinghamshire. 1870. Wall paintings and stained glass in nave
St John the Baptist, Bathwick, Somerset. 1871. Stained glass
St Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria. 1871. Alabaster and mosaic reredos.
St Bartholomew's Chapel, Sandwich, Kent. 1872. Stained glass of the crucifixion.
St Mary the Virgin, Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire. 1867. Window in chancel, angel wall painting.
References