Well heck. I searched the forums for 10 minutes but can not find the original post. It was a "What is it?" post and they found it in their attic? It was ID'd as a servant's bell. Anyway, by coincidence this popped up on today's' auction sites search. so I just wanted to share it with those of you who discussed it. It is starting at $100. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/72498489_art-nouveau-hand-made-brass-and-sea-shell-maid-s-bell
Is this the one you were looking for? https://www.antiquers.com/threads/copper-whatsit.6015/#post-82469
No, twasn't that one, but thanks. The bell had a sea shell as part of it. How weird the post has disappeared!