POST MEDIEVAL CROTAL

1600

A complete Post Medieval cast copper alloy spherical 'crotal' bell dating to the 17th or 18th century. The rectangular suspension loop at the top is c.13mm long, 14.6mm wide, 3.4mm thick and has an inverted 'U'-shaped aperture. The upper and lower hemispheres are divided by a horizontal circumferential joining rib. The upper hemisphere is decorated with four groups of engraved curvilinear, foliate design, radiating from the loop, between each of which is an inverted 'V'. It also has two sound holes, one in front and one behind the rectangular suspension loop. One hole is larger, the diameters being c.5mm and c.7mm. The lower hemisphere has two further sound holes, perpendicular to those on the upper hemisphere, which are joined together by a sound 'slit'. An incised border surrounds this slit. The rest of the lower hemisphere is split into four fields: two of these are decorated with what appears to be an incised cross, the other two has engraving which may represent a bellmaker's hammer. Inside the bell the iron pea is intact and moving freely. The bell is 42.1mm tall, has a maximum diameter of 30.85mm and weighs 34.77g. The outer surface of the bell has a mid to dark green patina and the object is generally in a very good condition.