The top floor of the tower has been converted into a warehouse, housing two collections of bells, complementing the main display of bell foundry products. These are the collections of Józef Ryba and Jan Krasnodębski. Both gentlemen devoted their collecting passions to hand-made bells made from various materials. Ceramic bells, primarily porcelain, predominate in both collections, but glass and metal pieces are also included. Most of them are souvenirs, whether from a specific location or to commemorate an important event, such as a wedding anniversary. Their decorations also reflect various holidays – Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, as well as the months and seasons. Among the ceramic bells, there are those signed by artists or renowned manufacturers, such as Wegdwood, Limoges, and Hutschenreuter, but the majority are anonymous. Most are decorated using decals or overglaze printing, but some are also hand-painted. Glass bells fully reflect the properties of the material from which they are made. Some attract the eye with their colors, while the colorless ones with colorful decorations and gilding, and many with plastic patterns achieved on the surface. The metal from which most bells are made is brass. Many are made using traditional casting techniques. However, today, many bells are formed from sheet metal, including steel. Among the metal bells in both collections, there are figural bells, with casings decorated with various plastic motifs, and enamel and imitations thereof. Both collections exemplify the richness and diversity of forms and materials in which bells are currently found practically all over the world.
