Geometric comparison of two Meneely bells in China using 3D point clouds with provenance implications

Abstract This study develops a geometric modelling framework for church bells using 3D point clouds, focusing on two Meneely bells in China: one recently rediscovered at Sun Yat-sen University and the other at Sichuan University. Both were donated by Jonathan Ackerman Coles (1843–1926). High-resolution photogrammetric 3D point clouds were used to reconstruct exterior surfaces, which were represented using models based on a symmetric triple–Richards profile. Dimensional measurements and dimensionless descriptors were distinguished to separate overall size from relative exterior geometry. The Sichuan University bell is larger in height, maximum radius, and enclosed geometric volume, whereas dimensionless ratios indicate similar overall proportions. Pairwise profile interpolation visualises differences between the two fitted profiles without establishing a general shape mode. The framework supports quantitative documentation and comparison of historic bells. Its potential contribution to provenance research requires evaluation using a larger corpus with independently documented manufacturing origins.