Antique Burmese Bronze Elephant Bell, Large, Probably 19th Century

Also known as a ‘chu’ or ‘hka-lauk’, these were used to help track elephants when they were set free to forage in the jungle between jobs hauling timber and other work. They are increasingly rare as elephants are not used for labor anymore. 
 
These have a rich patina. A metal ball sits inside the bell, which sounds as designed. There are two panels that encircle the upper half of the body of the bell decorated with primitive marks. (We understand that usually these are incised with traditional floral motifs as well as bird insignia and the makers name in Burmese characters on both sides, but ours are not so legible anymore.) There is a hole in the top panel as shown in photos, but otherwise this is in very good vintage condition. 
 
We believe our mother would have purchased this at an antique market in northern Thailand near the Burmese border in the 1970s or 1980s. The most similar ones online however date them to the 19th century.
 
Approx. H 4” x Diameter 3”
Weight: 12.20 oz (346g)
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.