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BELL
Unique ID: SWYOR-CFFCF6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy 'rumbler' bell dating from the Medieval to Post Medieval period, about AD 1150-1600. The bell has a tapering, apparently solid shank; this is broken, but the curve of a possible suspension hole can be seen. Four petal-like triangular tabs form the spherical bell element; these retain traces of gilding. The tabs would have enclosed a pea, probably of iron, and are separated by keyhole-shaped slots which form the sound holes. The object has a length of 22.10mm, a width of 11.95mm, and a thickness of 10.72mm. It weighs 3.71g. Compare SWYOR-B191BD, whose record includes the following discussion.
Ottaway and Rogers illustrate a similar bell, also gilded (though with stud mounting, rather than a hole on its shank) found in the Bedern excavations in York (2002, p. 2947, no. 14490). Compare NLM-F22938, and see LIN-FD3808 for an example attached to a plate, and SF-D74876 for one attached to a harness suspension mount. These have been dated from AD 1300-1500, 1175-1300, and 1300-1400 respectively. As noted by Helen Geake, it is uncertain 'whether their date is much the same as the spherical bells (late 13th to perhaps 16th century), or much the same as other horse-harness pendants (mid 12th to mid 14th century)' <https://finds.org.uk/counties/findsrecordingguides/bells/>.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1150
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 22.1 mm
Width: 11.95 mm
Thickness: 10.72 mm
Weight: 3.71 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 14th August 2019 - Thursday 14th November 2019
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: PAS form number 3536
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Rotherham (Metropolitan District)
District: Rotherham (Metropolitan District)
Parish or ward: Wales (Metropolitan District Ward)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SK4599
Four figure Latitude: 53.48579926
Four figure longitude: -1.32331011
1:25K map: SK4599
1:10K map: SK49NE
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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