Vintage 1996 Department 56 Christmas Bells – Special Event Piece – Mint in Original Box

A heartwarming piece of Christmas tradition, beautifully preserved since 1996: the Department 56 "Christmas Bells" Special Event Piece from The Heritage Village Collection.

This hand-painted porcelain scene shows three cheerful children in colorful winter coats, scarves and hats gathered beneath a charming bell pavilion — a steeply pitched, ruby-red scalloped-shingle roof with patches of snow, carried on elegant forest-green columns. At its heart hangs a polished brass bell, its rope in the children's hands. Snow-covered evergreen trees frame the pavilion, and detailed cobblestone paths wind across the snowy base.

"Christmas Bells" was introduced in 1996 as a Special Event Piece and has since been retired. Unlike the illuminated village buildings, it is a freestanding, non-lighted porcelain accessory — no cord or bulb — that displays beautifully on its own or woven into a larger holiday village. This example has been preserved in its original protective bag and collector's box and presents as never used.

Details:

• Department 56, The Heritage Village Collection
• "Christmas Bells," 1996 Special Event Piece, Item #98711; retired
• Hand-painted porcelain (per the box print, "Handpainted Porcelain Accessory")
• Freestanding, non-lighted village accessory — no electrical components
• Underside stamped "CHRISTMAS BELLS / 1996 Special Event Piece / Heritage Village Series © Dept. 56"
• Made in China (underside stamp)
• Measures approximately 6 in deep × 5 in wide × 7 in high and weighs 1 lb 3 oz
• Original collector's box measures approximately 6 × 7 × 9 in

Condition: The piece presents as never used, preserved in its original protective bag and box; no chips, cracks, or repairs are apparent in the photographs. The original box shows age-related storage wear, including foxing and surface discoloration, minor creasing, and old label residue (see the box photos). Please review all photographs for the exact condition and details of this piece.

Included: Christmas Bells porcelain accessory, its original protective bag, and the original Department 56 collector's box.

Whether it joins an established Heritage Village display or starts a new family tradition, Christmas Bells brings the warmth of an old-fashioned Christmas to any collection.

The photographs are part of the description, so please review them all. The styled scene photos are display inspiration; every other photo shows the actual piece offered.

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