Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: WMID-80B6AD
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy crotal or rumbler bell of Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval dating (AD 1400 to AD 1600).
Around 90% of the crotal bell is present. A crack is present across the mouth of the bell.
The bell is sub circular in plan and profile, with an integrally cast sub rectangular suspension loop attached to the top. The edges of the rectangular suspension loop have been bevelled. The base of the bell is semi circular, with a rectangular slot across the base, with circular ends. The iron 'pea' is still present inside the bell.
The bell was cast in one piece, using two opposing moulds. This casting method is indicated by the present of one complete and one incomplete 'sound holes', which are primarily to assist the positioning of the sand core. This sand core to allow the bell to be cast in one piece as opposed to cast in two separate halves and soldered togther. These two part moulds are split at the central girth rib, and no vertical mould lines are present. The central girth rib performs a useful purpose of accommodating any minor misalignments between the two halves, along with strengthening the bell and preserving the original appearance.
The bell is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
It measures 36.9 mm in length, with a diameter of 27.5 mm. It weighs 19.1 grams.
Class: crotal
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Quantity: 1
Length: 36.9 mm
Weight: 19.1 g
Diameter: 27.5 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st January 2014 - Friday 31st January 2014
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SJ8708
Four figure Latitude: 52.66955158
Four figure longitude: -2.19367654
1:25K map: SJ8708
1:10K map: SJ80NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.