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This is a wide mouthed sheep bell made of wrought iron and fire welded. It is missing its clapper. It has a single loop, or staple, at the top to which a strap would be attached. Bells were used by shepherds to help them locate their sheep.

1 sheep bell: metal (wrought iron); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This sheep bell is one of a type referred to as WIDE MOUTHED bells. They are usually made of iron, sometimes of latten, and have one or two staples. They are heavier than the usual run of sheep bell, and are older in origin than the clucket bell. // This bell is made of wrought iron. The sides are fire welded, with one rivet each side and an envelope flap at the top. It has a single staple, riveted along the length of the top, (some bells of this type have staples which go across the length). It measures 3.5 inches in length, 3.75 inches across the mouth and 3 inches across the top. The clapper is missing from this bell.', Victoria & Albert Museum No. M350, 1926.

1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century