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Antique bell evaluation

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by shay, Feb 12, 2015.

  1. shay

    shay New Member

    Hi,



    I have this antique bell.

    Can anyone tell me what could it be used for?

    What could be it's age?

    What was it use for?

    What is the estimated value of this item?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Looks like it was in a fire....or dug up.

    I think it was used as ......well, as a bell !
    Maybe part of a church bell set.

    Where did you get it?
    Are there any markings you can make out , on the inside or outside ?
    Does it have a ringer inside or was it struck from the outside?
     
  3. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

  4. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    12 by 8 inches from the poster's ebay thread.

    I think the decoration and exact shape may give a clue to the age, I'm thinking 18th C but it could be 100 years younger. Probably no way to ever tell.
    In general we do not do values, too may variables. I'd auction estimate it at £80 to £100 but as you are probably in the USA that's not likely to be a lot of help.
     
  5. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Approx 477 - 597 Israeli Shekel :cool:
     
    Kasperscuriosities and komokwa like this.
  6. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    That is the kind of bell that hung on the front porch of the farm. At dinnertime, Maw Farmer would clang it like crazy to summon Pa and the boys in from the fields. Always loud. Almost never melodious.
     
    yourturntoloveit likes this.
  7. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    I don't like the casting quality for this to be antique. I am think it is a more recent import with some age to it. Posted the same over at ebay.
     
  8. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    Here are a couple similar old bells for comparison......

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  9. terry5732

    terry5732 Well-Known Member

    I don't think bells were lathed like the OP's until fairly recent times
     
  10. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Modern, and poor quality casting. The tab you use to hang it at top is undersized showing the maker didn't know how to make durable bells. The turned rings are also uncharacteristic of old bells-they were done as an afterthought. Maybe $20 unless it is at auction and someone there thinks it is a valuable antique and overbids.

    If we can get a clear well-lighted photo of the inside we can be more certain of our diagnosis.
     
  11. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    The poster is registered in Israel, maybe the bell is from that area.
     
  12. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    I'm not sure Brad's bells are old either-when I was in Kao Shung, Taiwan in 1970's I bought one absolutely identical-looking (to the top one) from a shop that had dozens lined up, fresh from the foundry down the street.
     
  13. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    So, Terry has copper balls and Brad has brass bells. There's a story in there somewhere.
     
  14. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    "C'MAWN IN'N'GEDDIT!!"

    I agree with what's been said. Probably not worth much. If it was a genuine ship's bell or something, it might be...or the bell from some big public building, but otherwise...meh.
     
  15. Steersman

    Steersman Well-Known Member

    While I don't dispute that it is likely a modern bell, there is a similar antique type, depending on the size.

    In some places, a bell was used and sometimes required by law to be carried on the shafts of horse-drawn buggies and such. I've heard these bells called 'team bells,' but don't have a reference.

    I have several of these and am certain they are genuinely old. They turn up at farm auctions around here, usually with the horse gear, and have genuine wear and patination. Some of mine have similar and fairly substantial top lugs.

    (I have also learned not to evaluate something I don't have in my hand.)
     
    Kasperscuriosities likes this.
  16. Steersman

    Steersman Well-Known Member

    Oops, I just noticed the size. Too big for a team bell. Shape is also correct for a marine bell.
     
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