File:BELL (FindID 985582).jpg

A Post Medieval 17th to 18th Century AD copper alloy Crotal bell with an incised design over all of the bell. It has an intact rectangular fastening loop on the top and on one side the foundry mark " I "

The bell comprises two hemispherical domes with a raised circumferential join. The upper hemisphere has two circular sound holes with a rectangular loop projecting from the top between them. The upper edges of this loop are bevelled  while the hole is sub-circular.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 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. Corrosion product and soil remains inside the bell such that it is not possible to tell if the pea survives.

Radiating from the loop around the whole of the upper hemisphere is a moulded petal pattern made of concentric u-shaped ridges the bases of which join the attachment loop. The lower hemisphere is decorated with indented lines radiating out from the central area in a similar petal design. In the centre close to the slit is a raised letter I which is the foundry mark.

No identical raised inscription is listed on the UK Detector finds database (<a href="http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/crotal-bells.html">http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/crotal-bells.html</a>) although several inscriptions begin with an I. Contemporary illustrations often show bells worn as sets on the harnesses of larger animals such as oxon and donkeys and this bell would be appropriate for such a use.