BELL

A complete cast one-piece crotal bell of Post-Medieval date, c.AD 1600 - 1700.

The bell is spherical and hollow, separated into two hemispheres by an integral raised circumferential ridge. An integral sub-rectangular attachment loop projects from the apex of the upper hemisphere. A small, off centre, drilled perforation is present within the loop. No pea can be determined.

The upper hemisphere displays two counter-sunk sound holes. It is decorated with two trefoil foliate-style designs, each set within a lyre-loop with an expanding curvilinear arm to either side. The trefoils are positioned mid-way between the sound holes with the arms meeting beneath.

The lower hemisphere has three transecting slots with countersunk founded terminals. This results in six slots radiating from the centre of the lowest apex creating six sub-triangular panels between them. Each panel bears incised leaf-style designs.

The metal has a dark green/brown patina and is in good condition. The bell is 45.4mm long, 33.2mm in diameter; the loop is 10.1mm wide x 2.5mm thick. It weighs 43.5g.

Crotal bells are very common finds because they are robust and easily recognised (Geake & Webley, 2019). They were used on horse drawn vehicles from the medieval period onwards and were functional, as well as decorative, as the sound would announce the vehicles approach. Well dated examples are scarce, making close dating of individual bells difficult unless associated with a makers mark. One-piece bells appear to have been in use from the 16th century onward with more elaborately decorated examples appearing slightly later. The two sound holes on one piece bells is "primarily to facilitate positioning of the core, rather than for transmission of the sound" (Blunt, 2005).

A parallel featuring multiple sound slots could not be found at the time of recording.

Ref:

Geake, H. and Webley, R., (2019) Finds Recording Guide: Bells, https://finds.org.uk/counties/findsrecordingguides/tag/crotal/ (accessed 16th August 2019).

Blunt, R. (2005) Crotal Bells, http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/crotal-bells.html (accessed 16th August 2019).