BELL

A complete cast copper-alloy spherical animal bell (crotal) of post-medieval date, AD 1700-1850. The bell comprises two hemispherical domes with a raised circumferential join. The upper hemisphere has two sub-circular sound holes with a rectangular loop projecting from the top between them. The loop is formed of an angular, slightly irregular, U-shaped bar with square outer corners. 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 upper hemisphere is worn, but seemingly plain.

The lower hemisphere has a long, wide sound slit with circular holes at the ends. This is set almost at right angles to the holes in the upper hemisphere. The lower hemisphere has been decorated with the sunburst or petal design, with four petals on each side. There is a semi-circular cartouche flanking the sound slit on both sides that contains a maker's mark, The initials KW or WK. Both sides of the slit have an incised line creating a border. The iron pea is still present though corroded.

The bell is 44.7mm in diameter around the circumferential join, 40.4mm from the top of the bell to the base and 52.1mm high including the loop. The loop is 11.6mm high, 16.4mm wide, and 4.4mm thick. The bell weighs 66.86g.

The W. K makers mark was listed by Bailey (1995: 41-3 ) who suggests a 1700-1850 date, but the individual was not identified. Contemporary illustrations often show bells worn as sets on the harnesses of larger animals such as oxen and donkeys and this bell would be appropriate for such a use. Other examples on the database with this mark include KENT-51FE14, SUR-86665A and PUBLIC-4A1372.