The brass bell, without striker, signed on the interior ‘WC’ with a bird motif, the mark of W. G. Cox, on fruitwood stand with turned decoration and two holes to receive the wooden peg which secures the 4 inch (10.5cm) high bell to the stand.

Rupert Gentle & Rachael Feild commented ‘Marks of any kind are rare on brass, and extensive research does little to explain why this metal remained uncontrolled or checked throughout its history, except to bear out the theory that because it was an industrial and decorative metal it escaped the controls on both sides.’ (English Domestic Brass 1680-1810 and the History of its Origins, Elek Books, London 1975, p. 75).