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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Thom on July 21, 2012, 07:16:46 PM

Title: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Thom on July 21, 2012, 07:16:46 PM

II picked up this heavy bell this morning at a garage sale for 25.00. It is 8" tall and 6" across at the bell bottom. Any thoughts?

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: mart on July 21, 2012, 07:58:36 PM

I am guessing brass from the green verdigris !! From that small size perhaps one of several that might have been in a church !!

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Thom on July 21, 2012, 08:10:49 PM

Thanks Mart, I like the Patina on it. I just wish someone had not written $238 on the inside. Im afraid to clean it off and ruin the finish. Doy you think there is a way to know the actual age of the bell and the maker?

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Rauville on July 21, 2012, 09:02:50 PM

I would wonder if it wasn't made to commemorate the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence?

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: KC on July 21, 2012, 09:50:57 PM

It is when Napoleon married Josephine.....but I tend to agree with Rauville on this if you are in the USA area.

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 06:11:13 AM

Perhaps Mission Bell ?? It doesn`t look American to me !! And yes it helps if we know where you are but since you said Garage Sale I assume you are in the U.S. !!

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Thom on July 22, 2012, 11:18:29 AM

Yes I am in the USA......Southern California

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 01:53:55 PM

Knowing that helps greatly !! I would go for Mission Bell and probably made in Mexico !! For that price on the inside,, try a standard pencil eraser and see if it was done with a chalk pencil,, unless its a paint and if it seems like a paint (hope its water based) lay it on its side and put a soaking wet cloth (warm water touch of dish soap) on top and let it sit for at least 30 min !!  Keep the cloth very wet during this time. Then see if the paint is lifting,, you should be able to rub it off or use a soft toothbrush to lightly scrub !! If that doesn`t remove it you may have to use lighter fluid and Q-Tips to get it off !!

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: KC on July 22, 2012, 02:28:53 PM

Agree with Mart!  Great advice on care....

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: ghopper1924 on July 22, 2012, 03:39:26 PM

A bargain for $25.00.

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Thom on July 22, 2012, 07:35:26 PM

Thanks :) I will try cleaning it off and for 25.00 it probably was a bargain. It is heavy. It weighs 4 1/2 pounds.

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 07:47:48 PM

I like that old verdegris !!

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Thom on July 22, 2012, 07:52:26 PM

I do too.....I wonder how old it is?

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 08:00:02 PM

Well,, it isn`t as old as you would think !! I would just say 1900`s !! Hard to get any closer !!  That verdigris can be chemically done but I think this one has just been out in the weather !!  Maybe mid 1900`s !!

Title: Re: Help Identify This Bell Please :)
Post by: Thom on July 22, 2012, 08:33:08 PM

It reminds me of a Mission Bell. I live close to one of the California Missions.