Is this a bell or a brass flower pot?

[Cajunme]

I need help on this object. I found it in a small community that was on the mississippi river. the town existed before and some time after the civil war. When the levee system came in everyone was moved out. It looks like a bell and i really want it to be a bell and not a flower pot. the top dia is 3 3/4", height 5", bell end dia 6", wt 5-6 lbs, and is brass. the hole in the top outside doesn't appear to be deep enough to hold anything. There isn't a hole on the inside top for a clapper. I did see a farm or school bell on the internet that had a flat top. I would appreciate any help you can give.

 

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[flinthunter]

How thick are the sides of this? A bell should be fairly thick walled while flower pots are usually thinner walled.

 

[Dano Sverige]

Bottom piece of a candlestick, looks like to me.

 

[jose50]

Looks to be the 'bell' of a hand bell such as were used in rural schools. Note that there is a hole on the top where a screw may have been inserted through to hold a wooden handle.

 

[Rancho Leo]

looks like a mortar to me. Brass mortar and pestles were used a lot in the mining industry

 

[Cajunme]

I appreciate the replies so far. to clarify. The walls are thick and the item weights 5-6 lbs, so the school bell held in your hand is out. I found it close to a swamp in Louisiana, so that leaves out the mining tools. it has been plowed up and under for probably a hundred years and wasn't broken, just scratched. amazing.

 

[Sheldon J]

I agree that ain't no bell (got one), with the thick sides I tend to side with the Mortar reply....

 

[savant365]

It looks like a vase for a gravestone.

http://www.grassmarkers.com/headstone.php