Rights Holder: Garry Crace
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BELL
Unique ID: NMS-109D80
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A large cast copper-alloy spherical animal or crotal bell of Post-Medieval date. The bell comprises two hemispherical domes with a raised circumferential join. The upper hemisphere has two circular opposed sound holes, with a rectangular suspension loop projecting from the top between them. The curve of the bell continues under the arched loop aperture. The lower hemisphere, has a long, wide sound slit with circular terminal holes. This is set at right angles to the holes in the upper hemisphere. The bell contains an iron pea.
The upper hemisphere is worn, with no trace of decoration. The lower hemisphere is decorated with an engraved dragooned design with lines radiating out from the central area in a sunburst or petal design with straight lines flanking the sound slit and twin central semi-circles in on each slide of the slit. The semi-circles contain, on one side, a founders maker's mark in the form of a founder's hammer and initials, W G, on the other.
The bell measures 50.00mm in diameter, 58.50mm in overall height and weighs 117g.
The curve of the bell continues under the loop aperture suggesting it was made using a detachable 'sprue-piece'; this method was introduced in the 17th century. The founders hammer was probably used as a mark by several manufacturers and over a long period. W G is a known maker who has yet to be identified.
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 1650
Date to: Circa AD 1750
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Weight: 117 g
Diameter: 50 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 28th December 2018 - Friday 28th December 2018
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: 63306
Other reference: GCENF145467
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: Breckland (District)
Parish or ward: Lexham (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TF8517
Four figure Latitude: 52.71901556
Four figure longitude: 0.73766277
1:25K map: TF8517
1:10K map: TF81NE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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