English Bell-Metal Mortar, inscribed ‘I S M’ and ‘1657’. Manufactured at the Neale Foundry, Burford, Oxfordshire

Description

English bell-metal mortar, inscribed ‘I S M’ and ‘1657’, was manufactured by Edward Neale, at The Neale Foundry in Burford, Oxfordshire in 1657.
The waist is inscribed with the date ‘1657’ and the initials ‘I S M’ in Roman lettering in a triangle. Lettering in this form was often used to indicate joint ownership between a husband and wife, with the top initial being that of their shared surname.
The waist is decorated with two winged masks either side of the inscriptions.

Fact

The Neale Foundry in Burford, Oxfordshire was active from around 1635-1695.