This beautiful different polished hand bell is made of quality brass. This will make a great addition to any bell collection or look great displayed in any household. This is truly a stunning piece of nautical decor. Originally, Ship's Bells were used to signal the passage of time during a traditional four-hour watch stood by the ship's crew members. The bell would be rung every half hour thereafter. To signal the passage of the first half hour the bell would be rung once, after the first hour it would be rung twice, at the end of 1 1/2 hours it would be rung three times, etc. At the end of four hours, the bell would be rung eight times, and then a new shift of crew members would take over the watch and repeat the same pattern by ringing the bell once after the passage of their first half hour of standing watch.