Analysis of the construction of the object found by Novafinder indicates it was not "originally manufactured" as we see it in the photos ...and I don't mean just the damage. Apparently, the copper/brass bell-like part was not originally part of the object.
The copper/brass part (which some people think is a bell) resembles a typical brass doorknob. But, being so much smaller than a doorknob, I think it is a decorative knob (or "finial") made to be attached to the end of a pole in brass-frame furniture (for example, a brass bedframe). Or perhaps, a drawer-pull knob. Note that that the base of the "bell" is flat (or was, before the damage happened). It was flat in order to fit against something else that is flat. The flat base has a hole in its center, and there's another hole in the center of the other side. The holes allow a mounting screw to pass through the object, for attaching it onto the pole's (or bar's) end. Or against the drawer's face, if it is a drawer-pull knob.
Here's a photo showing some brass-frame furniture finials/knobs. On some of these the base-hole is the same size as on Novafinder's object. In the bedframe photo, note the knobs/finials on the ends of the "curvy" tubes. Sorry, but these are the best "illustrative" photos I could find without doing hours of google-searching.
