Brass bell found at thrift store

[natashaz]

I found this bell a few months ago in a thrift store and bought it for $1.25 because I thought it was cute.  The handle looks like ivory and the word "ENGLAND" is carved into the inside of the bell although the picture I took makes it hard to see it.  If anyone might know of any history on a piece like this or the value (if any) please let me know.

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/nziabek/BELL001.jpg?t=1278370723

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/nziabek/BELL003.jpg?t=1278370751

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/nziabek/BELL002.jpg?t=1278370779

[waywardangler]

The dog head appears to be resin made to look like ivory.  Visit the "Special Threads and Exceptional Information" board and go to the topic "How to Tell Real Ivory".  It is hard to tell from the pics but with this information and the dog in hand, it may help you determine if it is real ivory or something else.  Nice looking bell.  Maybe it is the bell used in Pavlov's dog?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I'm afraid it looks modern to me, looking at the uniformity of the screw on the underside it looks mass-produced, as well as the parts right between the bell and the dog head. You can see circular machined marks which I'm afraid also indicate modern machining techniques. I'm not an expert though, so perhaps the others can chime in on that.

[KC]

Agree with the others.  Looks modern. 

[gingertomantiques]

My opinion is that it is a marriage & the handle would have started life on a cane or umberella. If the hot pin test reveals it is ivory i would put it back on a cane which would significantly increase its value.

[fancypants]

Welcome to the forum , natashaz .

Perhaps , if you unscrewed the handle from the bell , more might be gleaned about the possible ivory handle (things like the age of the insert into the handle , tool marks & etc.) .

I'd say you've gotten your moneys' worth , for an item that you like .

It does seem like the dog-head handle is a bit large , for the size of the handbell .

Perhaps this is a bell to signal "Release the Hounds !!!" .