BELL 153727

Description: Post Medieval animal (‘crotal’ or ‘rumbler’) bell. This complete example has a square suspension loop between two circular sound holes located on the upper hemisphere. The sides of the upper hemisphere are slightly concave where the sound holes are located. One sound hole is incompletely formed, with a wide depression in the surface of the bell, however there is only a small hole at its centre. The upper hemisphere is plain and undecorated, and is quite short in comparison to the lower hemisphere. There is a prominent ridge with a semi-circular cross section separating the upper and lower hemispheres. The sound slot on the lower hemisphere runs parallel to the suspension loop. The sound slot is very narrow, terminating in two circles. The lower hemisphere is decorated with a geometric pattern of incised lines, which is particularly worn on one side. The design is not symmetrical either side of the sound slot. There is an incised line to either side of the sound slot, then another incised line encompasses that line, and extends around the two circular holes at the end of the slot. The worn side of the bell is decorated with two semi-circles (with the apex towards the medial line), containing a 'T' formed from a double incised line. This design only covers the lower half of the lower hemisphere, the remainder of the design on this side is completely worn. The design to the other side of the sound slot is comprised of three double lined arches extending to the medial line, each containing central straight line. The spherical iron ball is still extant and in good condition. The bell has a mid to dark green patina.

Date: 1575 - 1625

Object type: BELL

Last import: August 15, 2017