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Robert Wells, H. Wells

This is one of two horse bells given to the donor by an aged carpenter who lived in Blewbury, Oxfordshire. According to the carpenter the bells used to hang above the horses’ collars and the teams of horses on their way to London used to nod their heads together so that their bells all rang at the same time. This bell has the name 'R. Wells' inside. The carpenter believed they were cast in a foundry at Abingdon, Oxfordshire, but this was almost certainly made by Robert Wells of Aldbourne, Wiltshire.

1 horse bell; metal, with leather [?] strap

Object research project, Further Afield, February 2024 - 'The bells can be dated to somewhere between circa 1755-1825, when Robert Wells bell-foundry in Aldbourne was in existence. Robert Wells may be the founder of the foundry, or Robert Wells son (also Robert). (Information found on the British Museum website under the entry of ‘Robert Wells’).', Letter to MERL from donor, 17 March 1951 - '...Two horse bells - given to us by a very old carpenter that once lived in this village. He said they used to hand above the horses' collars and that he had often seen teams set off for London and he always declared that the horses nodded their heads together so that the horses all rang their bells at the same time!. They (the bells) have the name H. Wells inside and he told us that they were cast in a foundry at Abingdon'.

Aldbourne, Abingdon

1755 - 1825

Metal, Leather

Wells, Jed (Maker)