Calling bell
probably Thomas Mears II
Category
Metalwork
Date
1 Jan 1836 - 31 Dec 1836
Materials
Bronze
Measurements
550 mm x 2.6 m x 350 mm; 22 kg (Weight); 320 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Whitechapel
Order this imageCollection
Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk
NT 1210954.1.1
Summary
A small bronze calling bell hung in one of the four ornamental brick towers of the kitchen garden walls designed by the architect J.C. Buckler for Sir Henry Richard Paston-Bedingfield c.1830-35. The bell is dated 1836. The date figures and the style of the bell generally (canon section, mouldings) indicate that it was probably cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London by Thomas Mears II (fl.1810-1843), the most prolific founder of his times. The bell is quite small, only 320mm (12⅝”) diameter. It has six canons and argent complete and retains it cast-in crown staple. The mouldings (crown to lip) are 1:2-2:2:2, the lower ones being of brassfoundry type. The note of the bell is E flat *nominal 2521hx or Eb(4)+22). It weighs about 22kg (45 lbs). The bell is sounded by a piece of bailer string attached to the clapper. It was at one time hung for swing chiming in the manner described in more detail below. The two timber beams spanning the tower - now close together - originally formed a bellframe. The purpose of the bell is clear from a notice painted on the back of the door which reads: 'If you ring this bell / The gardeners will come. Should you ring in jest / Then we hope you can run.' The turret is on the north side of the kitchen garden, near the greenhouse restored in 2010 and close to the archway to the main stables and offices. The turrets all have small arrow-slit windows towards the top and moulded brick machicolation and stepped crenellations. Inside they have simple brick vaulted ceilings. The three along the east wall of the garden are all open to the top inside, but the kitchen garden turret has an intermediate floor (reached by ladder), drying shelves for leaves or herbs, and a bell. As of 2020 this turret is being used as a bat roost. If this area needs to be checked then it should be done with prior notice given to the garden team.
Provenance
Part of the Bedingfeld Collection. The house was given to the National Trust in 1952 by Sybil, Lady Bedingfeld (1883-1985), her daughter Mrs Greathead, and her niece Violet Hartcup.
Marks and inscriptions
1836
Makers and roles
probably Thomas Mears II, bell founder