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This canister type sheep bell was used on a South Downs farm at Findon, Sussex, to help shepherd locate sheep. The fasteners are made of a sheep rib bone.

1 sheep bell [canister]: metal, bone and leather; good condition

MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Original mounting. Used on a South Downs farm, Findon, Sussex. Owner claims that fasteners are pieces of rib bone of sheep. // [pencil sketch]', Letter, R. E. Porter to J. Higgs, 25th October 1955 - 'I have also sent you two unmounted sheep bells and another one which I have always treasured as it has the original mountings and was used on a South Downs farm at Findon in Sussex which for generations was the home of my wife's people... Another notable point is in regard to the fasteners which, as far as I can tell, are pieces of the rib bone of a sheep.'

Metal, Bone, Leather