Historical information

This brass bell bracket has been carefully shaped to fit around the shape of a bell. Its fitting allows it to swing freely. The bracket allows the bell to be fixed to a horizontal surface such as a s wooden frame, post or base. It may have been portable or fixed to a counter, desk or table.

The bell may have been used to sound the time, to draw attention to an event such as a church surface, to signal a time to start or stop, or even as a percussion instrument.

Significance

This metal bell bracket appears to be handmade and may have been used as a portable signal for a school or public meeting. It could have been used on a ship to signal the watch or the time.

Physical description

Bell bracket; the brass, bracket is bell-shaped with a removable hinged section across the top where the bell swung. The base is composed of a curved and shaped base stand.