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Cup bells were usually made of brass or bell metal and casts in sets, numbered accordingly. This is made of brass and numbered '12'.
Cup bells were usually made of brass or bell metal and casts in sets, numbered accordingly. This bell is numbered '12' and has a single strap for hanging round the neck of a sheep. Bells helped shepherds to locate their sheep.

1 sheep bell: metal (brass or bell, cast); leather; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This is a cup bell. Cup bells were usually cast in sets and made of brass or bell metal. // The sets were cast in tune and numbered accordingly. This bell is numbered 12 on the top. It has a single strap for hanging round the neck of the sheep and is 3.2 inches high and 3.5 inches across the mouth.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Shepherd's Andrews's "ship tackles". // 13-16. Four cup bells with their harness' (Smith's description could also be in reference to the other cup bell in the collection, 51/564), Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) page 1 - 'No.13 // [pencil sketch] // Cup bell or scotch bell', Heritage of the Hendreds Exhibition 1969 - 'Catalogue of Exhibits // Number 334 // Three Cup Bells with their Harness // Lent by MERL Miss Smith c.'

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)
Andrews