Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
BELL
Unique ID: SUSS-0DEBE1
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A worn cast copper alloy Post Medieval animal rumbler or 'crotal' bell, dating to between 1600-1850 AD. The bell is spherical in shape and is comprised of two hemispherical domes with a slightly raised join around its circumference. The upper hemisphere has two circular sound holes and has a sub-rectangular suspension loop projecting from the top with an irregularly drilled sub-triangular suspension loop hole. The lower hemisphere has a long sound slit and remains of a crude 'sunburst' design can be seen on both sides of the slit. The remains of a pea are intact within the bell, although due to corrosion, it is uncertain whether the pea was composed of iron or copper alloy. No makers marks remain to assist in further dating. The bell measures 26.6 mm in diameter and weighs 21.2 grams.
These bells were used on animal harnesses, either singularly or in groups on horse or oxen harnesses. For a similar example from Sussex see: SUSS-991CE5.
Class: cast spherical
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1850
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 34.6 mm
Weight: 21.2 g
Diameter: 26.6 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 7th December 2013
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Sussex (County)
District: Arun (District)
Parish or ward: East Preston (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TQ0602
Four figure Latitude: 50.80786697
Four figure longitude: -0.49695593
1:25K map: TQ0602
1:10K map: TQ00SE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SUSS-265B71
Object type: BELL
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A worn cast copper alloy Post Medieval animal or 'crotal' bell, dating to between 1600-1850 AD. The bell is spherical in shape and is compri…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SUSS-BFE343
Object type: BELL
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A worn cast copper alloy Post Medieval animal rumbler or 'crotal' bell, dating to between 1600-1850 AD. The bell is spherical in shape and is…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: PUBLIC-2503B1
Object type: BELL
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A Post Medieval complete cast copper alloy rumbler or 'crotal' bell with intact iron pea, c. 1600-1850 AD. The bell is divided into two hemis…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618