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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Sterling Silver
 Dinner bells
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| Author | Topic: Dinner bells |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-12-2016 04:18 PM
  
I seem to be collecting American sterling dinner or tea bells from my favorite period, the Aesthetic 1870s-90s. The first three are Wood and Hughes; the last is Whiting, in something similar to the Fantasy pattern: Does anyone else have any to show? IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-12-2016 04:20 PM
They all have beautiful tones when you ring them. Scott, is there any way to post a video or audio file? IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-12-2016 04:43 PM
Closer views: IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 08-13-2016 12:14 PM
If you have MP3/4 files of them ringing, I'll add them to the post. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-13-2016 01:42 PM
Thanks, Scott! I'm consulting my sound engineer (I mean husband) and will send you an MP3 if he can figure out how to make one out of the video I shot on my phone... IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 08-13-2016 04:25 PM
See: Dinner bells - images and audio IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-14-2016 12:02 PM
Thank you, Scott--the audio clips are not playing for me. Is it just my computer? IP: Logged |
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agphile Posts: 798 |
posted 08-14-2016 12:15 PM
I'm afraid all is silent for me too. IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 08-14-2016 12:26 PM
Its most likely is your computer/browser. I don't have a problem with Firefox version 48.0. There are many ways to include older audio tech but it was so much simpler to rely on features in the newer browser. I don't have/use a smartphone so if that is your tech then I wouldn't know. I made a quick ever so slight change... does that help? I will try to add something later that may work better for some older systems. I just tried using IE 11 & Opera 38 & Vivaldi 1.3.551.30 ... no problem! IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 08-14-2016 01:36 PM
They work on my PC. All have a good ring, but I think I like the second one down the best. Thanks Polly and Scott for posting these bells. [This message has been edited by ahwt (edited 08-14-2016).] IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-14-2016 03:00 PM
Scott, yes, I can hear them now. Thank you. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-14-2016 03:07 PM
My friend Adrian, a physics reporter, has the following explanation for why the littlest bell has the lowest note: "Hi Polly, The resonant frequency of the bell depends on its stiffness as well as its size. And the stiffness depends on both the material and its thickness. So assuming that the bells are all made of similar material, I'd assume that the wall of the first bell is thinner and hence, less stiff than the walls of the other bells. Also, to first approximation it's the circumference of the bell that sets the resonant frequency. And by that measure, the first bell doesn't look that much smaller than the third and the fourth. So here's my bet: The first bell is thinner than the third and fourth. It might weigh less because of that, too. Just a guess." He's right about the material (all sterling) and the relative weights of the bells. The little bell does have thinner walls. The two medium-size ones have the same diameter and very close to the same weight, so I imagine the difference in their notes must have to do with the shape? IP: Logged |
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agleopar Posts: 850 |
posted 08-15-2016 12:20 AM
I love dinner bells, not actually using them, the few times I was in a place where the grand dam would, I found it cringe worthy. No, I like them for the freedom of design. Rather like butter knives they can exist on the edges or outside the strict confines of a dinner services/canteens design. Some of them are a lot of fun, like #1 with the knurled handle and two (actually 4?) balls! I have repaired a half dozen over the last few years and one or two have been stunning! All, like Polly's beautiful. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-15-2016 01:12 AM
Yes, the big bell has two pairs of balls, one big and one little. I really like these Wood & Hughes bells--they're so weird or as Rob put it more elegantly, they display such pleasing freedom of design). I passed up a chance to buy another one, back in the early days of that big online auction site a dozen years ago; still kicking myself. I don't see them very often. No servants here; we use the bells to summon each other. One's the "Dinner's ready!" bell; one's the "Come watch Game of Thrones!" bell. They have sweet, penetrating voices--they really carry. Much better than shrieking at each other from room to room. IP: Logged |
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asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 08-15-2016 02:57 PM
Very nice examples!  IP: Logged |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 08-15-2016 09:23 PM
So fun to see AND hear your bells, Polly! My mother used to use a little bell to call us in from our back yard for dinner, and they brought back wonderful memories. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-17-2016 11:12 AM
Thank you, doc & asheland! IP: Logged |
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ellabee Posts: 306 |
posted 09-23-2016 01:54 PM
Love these, and very excited about the audio (and videos in another thread). Another great use for dinner bells is to signal the end of social time and beginning of meeting/program for clubs. We used to use the services of a member, now gone, who could give a piercing whistle <g>, but a bell is more transferable. (Being my grandparents' 1920s plated version, also something I'm willing to donate -- would have a hard time handing over any of Polly's delightful sterling versions.) I think my favorite of these is #2. IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 02-12-2017 02:16 AM
Gorgeous to look at and hear! Kelly IP: Logged |
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seaduck Posts: 350 |
posted 02-12-2017 03:38 PM
What I love about this thread -- in addition to the examples of wonderful bells -- is the way Polly begins: "I seem to be collecting...." I think most of us can relate to that. You have one thingie, and then for whatever reason you acquire another, and then you perk up when you see a third, and then.......well, you "seem to be collecting" thingies! IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 02-12-2017 08:30 PM
Thank you, Kelly! Seaduck, ha! I was JUST thinking about starting another "I seem to be collecting" thread. This time I seem to be collecting cream ladles. Waiting for a new one to arrive. [This message has been edited by Polly (edited 02-12-2017).] IP: Logged |
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Vetdaddy Posts: 70 |
posted 02-15-2017 07:15 PM
Viewed a nice Georg Jensen bell on [at auction] today. After following this thread it caught my eye.....for the bell collector who has it all I guess!! The market for Jensen is truly a phenomenon. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 02-15-2017 08:06 PM
Vetdaddy, a gentle reminder that Scott asks us not to refer to specific items currently for sale. Jensen bells are beautiful. I wonder what they sound like. As soon as I win the lottery, I'm going to hunt down and buy a Gorham bird's nest dinner bell. IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 02-16-2017 09:35 AM
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Vetdaddy Posts: 70 |
posted 02-16-2017 11:44 AM
Thanks Polly & Scott- I understand. The bird's nest bell is amazing as well. I imagine that would be a tough one to find. Maybe more economical to transplant a bird's nest from a demitasse spoon to a recipient bell. (naturally, in humor!!) IP: Logged |
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asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 02-16-2017 11:57 AM
That Birds Nest is awesome! IP: Logged |
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