posted 01-01-2012 08:45 PM            

I wanted to wish every one of you a very happy 2012.

And.. I have a few questions concerning this figural Dutch bell that has been added to my collection of figural silver pieces.

First, let me tell you that this piece is Dutch, 2nd (.833) standard, and has a manufacturing date letter for 1846. You are supposed to blow in the pipe and have the windmill turn, or have your friends laugh at you. I do not know which.. Any how it is missing an arm and I will have that properly restored.

I was at one of my regular stops in Chapel Hill, and had spent an hour buying silver in the back room, and we were going to the display cases. I had glimpsed the piece out of the corner of my eye, but I played it cool (yeah, like that's going to happen). We went through the cases in the usual order, but I just couldn't hold it together, and blurted out that I had to see the 'Bell'. Now it has a good home..

Second, and the most vexing for me is that I remember seeing a large photo of a similar bell, with the pipe, several years ago, probably in one of my books, but for the life of me, I haven't been able to locate it. If I remember correctly, the bell in the photo was of 18th century origin. I did see some more recent photos of bells on line, but not the photo I an seeking. I would greatly appreciate any help in tracking down the book or publication with the photo.

Thanks..

Marc

posted 01-01-2012 09:40 PM            

(Might be crazy, but to my eye, that looks like the 1947 "M".)

~Cheryl

posted 01-01-2012 11:21 PM            

quote:

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17th century wager cup at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

This cup has a small silver windmill instead of an ordinary foot. It can therefore only be placed on the table upside-down. Anyone drinking from this cup either had to hold it upright or empty it. In the Netherlands, cups of this kind were known as 'drink-ups'. They were a decorative form of tableware. Wager cups were used for drinking games, in which people played their way towards inebriation. This cup is unusual. It has been decorated with engraving. At the back of the windmill, a man is carrying a bag of grain up a stairway. Another figure is standing in the doorway blowing a horn.

Drinking games

Drinking games were popular at parties in the seventeenth century. The blowpipe attached to the back of this wager cup had a special purpose. The person drinking from the cup, had to blow on this pipe. This set the sails of the windmill in motion, along with a dial on the back of the cup. Drinkers who failed to empty the cup before the sails stopped turning, had to pay a forfeit. They had to drink the number of cupfuls indicated on the dial. After that they could pass the cup on.

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posted 01-01-2012 11:42 PM            

First.. Cheryl, How are you doing..? I miss seeing you in Baltimore, but I keep up with you on the SMP site. I believe that the 1947 'M' is Italic, where as the 'M' on the bell is block. I looked at both and the workmanship is not post WW2 Holland, but 19th C. I could be wrong.

Second.. my fault for calling this a bell and not showing you the clapper and telling you about the horrid school bell clang. I realize that with this bunch, I must show my work.. So be it..

And since June, (Hi there to you and to Scott and many thanks for the site)you also said a wagering cup, so it might be.. At least the clapper is well attached so it would not come loose and be swallowed easily. I did put my lips to the edge of the inverted bell, so, it
could work... It wouldn't dribble...

I have not cleaned it well, so I hesitate putting my lips on the pipe. The pipe would work as a straw if you inverted the bell and put the gristmill portion in a drink. I will admit to thinking a younger me would try this with the 'Everclear' punch we favored at parties in school, while the present me will ask for volunteers. Photos to follow!

posted 01-01-2012 11:54 PM            

and I tried blowing into the pipe and got no whistle.. used a loose straw.. Let me clean it up and try it for real..

Later..

Marc

posted 01-02-2012 02:12 PM            

Hopefully, someone will happen along to correct me, but I really believe that this piece is a mid-20th century reproduction of earlier wager-cups, either with a clapper added or more likely, offered as a bell for the gift/souvenir market. Have seen more than one of near identical pieces, all with date marks from the same general era. Regarding the slant of the date letter, have had several clearly 20th century ashtrays, as well as other items with the date marks from that period, and the letters (including the 1947 "M") were not all slanted; the 1846 "M" should have serifs.

Regardless, a charming piece.....

~Cheryl

posted 01-02-2012 06:28 PM            

Concerning the age of the wager cup / bell / tourist souvenir, it still gets restored and put into my collection, as it makes me smile. Thanks for the reference and the photo.

And,.. I met you at the Baltimore Summer Antiques fair, Labor Day weekend, probably 10 to 14 years ago. You were shopping the show, and stopped at my booth looking for small cute silver, and introduced yourself, and when I mentioned SMP forums and the Martin's yearly pilgrimage to the show, you said that you were "Dragonflywink" on the site.

My merchandise tends towards the bottom end at that show, and with 125+ silver dealers I can see why you would not remember many of us. You are like me in that you will focus on merchandise in an intense show situation, rather than the sellers..

Besides, how hard is it for someone to remember "Dragonflywink".

Thanks..