slave bell, noun phrase

A large bell hung between two white-washed pillars, or in a tall white-washed arch, used in the past to summon slaves and mark certain times of the day, as the beginning and end of work periods. Also attributive.
1926 P.W. Laidler Tavern of Ocean 203Behind..are traces of terracing indicating former vineyards. Among the oaks stood the slave-bell, and from one tree hung a pair of scales, dated 1756.
c1937 C.E. Peers Our Land 8Reminiscent of by-gone days the slave bell still survives on many of the old Cape farms.
1946 T. Macdonald Ouma Smuts 14The old slave bells by the farmhouses were still rung to bring the coloured folk to work and to end the labour of their days, but all were now free men.
1949 J. Mockford Golden Land 47The dominant farmhouse was usually flanked by the wine cellar, the slave quarters and the stables, and these, together with carefully treated adjuncts such as slave bell towers, pigeon houses and enclosing walls, formed a complex.
1975 E. Prov. Herald 4 Dec. 24Legend says that if the slave bell is tolled on New Year’s Eve the ghost will ride again.
1982 A.P. Brink Chain of Voices 302When the slave bell is rung in the morning he has to fall in just like us.., although he’s neither slave nor Hottentot and can come and go as he wishes.
1990 Weekend Argus 10 Feb. (Weekender) 4The Oranje Zight homestead was surrounded by outbuildings, including slave quarters and an impressive slave bell.
A large bell hung between two white-washed pillars, or in a tall white-washed arch, used in the past to summon slaves and mark certain times of the day, as the beginning and end of work periods. Also attributive.
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Slavery and Indentured Labour
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