51/92

This is a canister sheep bell from Berkshire. It is made of iron and traces of brass show that it was originally lacquered. The yoke (neck piece) and straps are leather and the lockyers (wedges) are made of wood. Canister bells are the oldest type of sheep bell and are the same width from shoulder to mouth, with a flat crown.

1 sheep bell: metal (sheet iron); leather; wood; good condition

Citation in publication [H. J. Massingham, 'Country Relics' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1939)] – 'The smaller canister of sheet iron from a Berkshire farm has a leather yoke and wooden keys instead of yew and bone.' (p.131) [see also 51/91], MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/92 // NAME: SHEEP BELL // NEG NO.: 35/82 // STORAGE: ', Canisters are the oldest type of sheep bell. They are distinguishable from cluckets by being of the same width from shoulder to mouth. They have a flat crown, usually with two staples for the straps. These bells produce a chance note, but a 'ring' of canisters can be made up of 18 bells with the addition of several tenor bells, which ring a double note. The note may not always be true. The bells were often lacquered with brass to improve the note.

Wood, Metal, iron