Rights Holder: Winchester Museums Service
CC License:
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Unique ID: HAMP-260461
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete cast copper-alloy cast spherical bell of post-medieval date (c.1500-1650 AD). The bell is spherical and comprises two hemispherical domes with a raised circumferential join. The top hemisphere has two circular sound holes and a 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 side of this drilled hole has broken or worn through the top of the bell leaving a slot. The lower hemisphere has a long sound slot with circular holes at each end, perpendicular to the holes above. The upper hemisphere is decorated with a very worn 'sunburst' or petal pattern, the lower hemisphere with a fish-scale pattern. There is no visible makers mark. The iron pea remains inside the bell. The artefact has a dark-grey colour with patches of lighter corrosion product.
Notes:
In addition to this bell and another recorded from the same field on this database (ref. HAMP-25F3B2), three contemporary bells of similar form, but plainer in decoration, were discovered at the same time (but not recorded).
Class: cast spherical
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Height: 37.5 mm
Weight: 40.3 g
Diameter: 30.4 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 5th March 2010
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Other reference: E2845; 54
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.