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Date: |
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Description: | Approximately one-half of a cast copper-alloy animal rumbler or 'crotal' bell of Post Medieval date, c. 16th-mid-17th century AD. The bell is spherical and comprises two hemispherical domes with a raised circumferential join, approximately half of which is missing from an old break along the sound slit at the bottom and from one sound hole at the top. The top hemisphere originally had two circular sound holes, one of which is half missing, and a sub-square suspension loop with drilled circular hole projecting from the top. The hole was drilled later into the solid cast loop suggesting it was made before the introduction of the detachable 'sprue-piece' method in the mid-17th century. The lower hemisphere has a long sound slit with circular holes at each end, both of which are now missing due to old breaks. Both hemispheres are decorated with an elaborate 'sunburst' pattern and the lower hemisphere's sunburst decoration is further embellished with repeating horizontal lines within each loop. It is possible that a makers mark once was visible, but due to severe surface corrosion along the sound slit it is no longer visible. Traces of iron corrosion remaining on the copper alloy of the bell suggest that the pea was composed of iron. The bell measures 41.7 mm in approximate diameter at centre and 52.9 mm high including the loop. The bell weighs 46.2 grams. Contemporary illustrations often show bells worn as sets on the harnesses of larger animals.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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