Original School Bell
Bell, dated 1585 (date mark), over a century before the building.
Original location unknown.
Mermaid decoration and initials I S
Object Number: AMSJM:2021.6
Object Title: Original School Bell
Number of items: 1
Object Date: 1585
Associated era: 16th Century
Material: Metals
Type of Object: Decorative,Equipment,Tools
Object Provenance:
Cast by Henry Oldfield, the first generation of Nottingham bellfounders called Oldfield.
Associations:
Originally in the cupola (dome) of the SJM building and linked to the clock.
In 1815 the structure supporting it was replaced - at a cost of £36,500 in current prices.
From the early 1950s it again caused concerns, but was only finally lowered to the ground in the 1990s.
The bell is damaged with a lump out of the soundbow, evidently caused by the clapper striking the soundbow too low, & it is now hung in the grounds of the school. It is the work of Henry I Oldfield of Nottingham. It retains its canons.
Object Maker:
Henry Oldfield I
His earliest date is 1539 and he died 1589/90 and was succeeded by his son Henry II.
Place of Manufacture:
Nottingham bell foundry
Object Location:
Was in the courtyard garden outside the Foundation Office (moved to the office 2021).
