Bell
Thomas Mears II
Category
Horology
Date
1840
Materials
Bronze
Measurements
480 mm (Diameter); 18.875 in (Diameter)
Place of origin
Whitechapel
Collection
Sheringham, Norfolk
NT 802159
Summary
A bell bearing the names of several members of the Upcher family, and cast by Thomas Mears II of Whitechapel, London, in 1840. Hung in a white-painted octagonal wooden cupola above a square clock stage on top of the coach house (itself probably dating from c.1839-40). Hung for swing chiming but disused. It may have been used for the original clock (which is no longer there) but the present clock is an electric one without a striking system.
Provenance
Cast by Thomas Mears II of Whitechapel, London, in 1840. By descent through the Upcher family. Acquired by the National Trust in 1986 with the aid of bequests from E.L. Elliot, H. Ridler, D.E. Swiffen and Alice M. Weeks, grant-aid from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Countryside Commission and funds raised by the East Anglian Coast & Countryside Appeal, and an endowment from Mildred Cordeaux, a cousin of Thomas Upcher
Makers and roles
Thomas Mears II, bell founder