Rights Holder: Cambridgeshire County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: PUBLIC-5AE022
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Ninty-seven incomplete and fragmented Post Medieval cast copper alloy Crotal Bells, circa AD1600 - AD1850. 97 random finds from South Cambridgeshire district. The heaviest piece, an incomplete bell with an all over "fish scale" design weighs 13.7g. Six other fragments have this same design but all come from the lower half of the bell chamber. The smallest piece, with a curvilinear 'sunburst' design measures 12.9mm x 11.5mm and weighs 2.3g. The combined total weight of all bell parts is 1265.8g. The majority of fragments have a single or double lined curvilinear 'sunburst' design on their surface, while a few are completely unmarked. Nineteen fragments show signs of silvering. Twenty two pieces have marks (see Notes below) probably the makers initials or the mark of the foundry where they were cast. These marks are usually found at the bottom of the bell chamber either side of the slit which is a feature of this type of bell. Only two pieces show signs of a green corrosion and all other metalwork, while showing wear, is in fair condition.
Notes:
Of the above finds, twenty two had foundry marks or probable makers initials, these are listed as follows. Initials W G (1), Initials E M (1). A stylised cross (7). Shield with a Cross of St George (3). A flying bird (2). A capital "V" (2). A Horseshoe (1). A sunrise(1). A Hammer (1). A Fleur-de-lis (1). A pair of Antlers (1). Illegible (1).
These 97 bell fragments have been recorded in a single record as they were found before the finder realised the importance of keeping detailed find spot information for each individual discovery. They all come from a single County district and c.three parishes within that area reported to the Finds Liaison Officer.
Class: CROTAL
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1850
Quantity: 97
Weight: 1265.8 g
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Curvilinear
Completeness: Fragment
Surface Treatment: White metal coated
Grid reference source: Centred on parish
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.