Indian Brass “Elephant Claw” Ritual Bell with Clapper & Stand c.1950–1975

The Piece

Indian Brass Ritual Bell with Ventilated “Claw” Stand
Unknown maker
Cast brass with incised and pigment-filled decoration; internal clapper
Stamped “Made in India” to base
c. 1950–1975

Primary Description

A mid-century Indian brass bell with internal clapper, paired with a ventilated resting stand commonly referred to in the export trade as an “elephant claw” base. The bell is designed to be rung by hand using the ring handle, producing a bright, resonant tone; the stand serves as a stable resting base between use and helps prevent contact marks on furniture.

In Hindu ritual practice, bells (ghanta) are rung during worship to mark the beginning of prayer and focus attention during puja and aarti. Small handheld bells like this are common in domestic settings and are intended for repeated daily use.

This form is sometimes described online as an “elephant bell,” and elephants do wear bells in captive contexts to alert people to their presence, but those bells are typically strap-mounted, heavier, and built for harness wear. This example reads most convincingly as a domestic/ritual bell made for hand use, later sold widely as decorative/export brassware.

Design & Construction

Cast brass bell with internal clapper and finger ring handle. The exterior features repeating floral cartouches with pigment rubbed into the recesses, a common decorative finish on mid-century Indian export brass. The ventilated base supports the bell mouth-down and promotes airflow when stored.

The “Made in India” stamp indicates export-era manufacture; country-of-origin marking is a standard requirement for imported goods in the U.S. (which is why these stamps show up so often on mid-century imports).

Age

Estimated date: c. 1950–1975
Based on the “Made in India” origin stamp and mid-century export decorative finishing.

Condition

Good vintage condition.
Surface patina and wear consistent with age. Interior wear consistent with a functioning clapper bell. Stand and bell fit together properly.

Why It Belongs

A functional object with real cultural lineage: part ritual instrument, part sculptural brass form. It reads beautifully on a shelf or console, but it also still does its original job, which is rare for objects that survived the mid-century decor pipeline with their dignity intact.

Sources & References

→ Ghanta (ritual bell) usage in Hindu worship and puja context
→ Captive elephants wearing bells to alert people to their presence
→ U.S. country-of-origin marking requirements explaining “Made in India” stamping on imports

Price

$125

Rationale:

• Complete functional set (bell + clapper + matching stand)

• Strong decorative presence with cultural context

• Mid-century export piece but higher desirability than generic brass due to function + form