Look around for dinner bells, and you'll likely just find those with a sterling handle, but a brass bell. These are all sterling.
The sweetest dinner bells. Seeing them at auction made me laugh and think of the original "Father of the Bride" when Joan Bennet offers to get Spencer Tracy coffee... If you've seen that scene, it's perfection #didntrealizeyoucangetcoffeethisway Fun gift for any bride or mother of the bride! Each comes gift wrapped in a silk pouch (if it fits) or in other lovely wrapping.
Sterling bell (a) NBJ866a
Vintage F. Ramirez Sterling Silver Blossom Handle Dinner Bell Early 1900s. Bell is in good used condition with no obvious dents or dings, with the exception of the "slice" near the maker's mark that does not transfer to the front of the bell.
Measures: 3 1/8" x 1 3/4"; 44 grams; bears the marks of F. Ramirez, which dates it in the 1900s; rings similar to middle C.
Condition: Very good, sterling patina, minor surface scuffs.
Sold~Sterling bell (b) NBJ866b
Fashioned in the Foliate pattern, This is a lovely little dinner bell with a charming tinkling sound made by R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co. It has a sweet rounded design and a beautiful molded acanthus leaf pattern on the handle. The bell is 2 11/16 inches tall, 1 1/2 inches in diameter at the bottom of the bell and weighs 27.5 grams. It is signed on the bottom Wallace, sterling, and the model number, 85. The bell sports an Old English Script Monogram; 'PLM' Rings similar to two octaves above F.
Sterling bell (c) NBJ866c
Made by Webster Sterling and bears the old silver mark of an arrow driving through CW, and Sterling 373. There are a number of little dents in this bell that I tried to catch. I'm betting that someone handed it to a baby to entertain him/her, which actually pleases me when I think about it...
Sold~Sterling bell (d) NBJ865A: The largest bell in this collection made by Reed and Barton, marked Sterling. Approximately 4 7/8" tall and 2" wide, it's the largest dinner bell I've ever encountered, and I seek out these sweet pieces. 54 grams.
Sterling bell (e) NBJ866e
Birks Sterling made this sweet piece betw1een 1904 to 1924 due to the way it is hallmarked. I love the simplicity of the design, nothing hollow on this sweet bell that strikes a note like middle C. 34 grams, Three inches tall, 1 3/4" wide.
Sterling bell (f) NBJ866J
Made by Webster Sterling and bears the old silver mark of an arrow driving through CW, and Sterling. There are a few little bumps in the bell that appear to be from someone ringing it too fiercely, as the bumps were made from within the bell. This is a smaller bell, 2.5" tall and 25 grams. It rings close to high G sharp.
Sterling bell (h) NBJ866H: The largest bell remaining in this collection by an unknown maker, marked Sterling. Approximately 4 1/2" tall and 1 7/8" wide, it's among the largest dinner bell I've ever encountered, and I seek out these sweet pieces. 54 grams.
A word of caution...many sellers advertise these pieces as "silver" when they are silver plate or simply silver in color. Be sure that you see the word "sterling" in the description. Also, some might simply have sterling silver handles. You'll want a bell that is silver everywhere...at least I do!
Since it's solid 925 silver, you don't have to worry about the finish wearing off with use. A simple polish removes any accumulating tarnish. (I prefer Hagerty Silversmith's wash with a tarnish preventative. Avoid using silver dips; they'll remove the lovely patina that gathers in the crevices to enhance the detail of these pieces.)
Commensurate with age, the condition is very good. Notice the slightest ding at the top of the bell in one of the photos.
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