Vintage Silver Call
A vintage silver call brings together the crisp ring of desk bells and the crisp utility of silver cases from across the decades.
Vintage Silver Call
A vintage silver call search uncovers a fascinating overlap of functional desk bells and pocket accessories. The selection spans card cases, aide memoires, cigarette cases, and table bells from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods.
You are most likely to encounter Edwardian silver card cases alongside mechanical desk bells and silver-plated table bells. These items reflect the social rituals of calling, correspondence, and smoking from the late nineteenth century through the mid twentieth century.
The objects cross multiple stylistic boundaries, including Equestrian, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance Revival motifs. Materials range from solid sterling silver and silver plate to brass, enamel, and even Connemara marble.
Factors determining the grade of pieces
The refinement of the chasing, engraving, and applied ornamentation dictates the baseline quality of cases and bells. Crisp details on figural pieces, such as horse bit handles or mechanical animal forms, show superior tooling.
The integrity of enamel work and the clarity of hallmarks provide clear indicators of standard. Solid sterling silver items with intact gilt interiors and smooth spring mechanisms represent the higher tier of production.
A polished pig mechanical bell from the late nineteenth century demonstrates that Victorian callers appreciated a touch of farmyard humour.
Willian Aitken·Hermes Paris·WMF
The Vintage Silver Call Glossary
- Aide Memoire
- A small pocket notebook with a silver cover used for recording memoranda and appointments. These frequently incorporate ivory or paper leaves alongside pencil holders.
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing substantial purity by weight, standard for British hallmarked items. It provides durability alongside a bright reflective surface.
- Vitreous enamel
- Glass fused to a metal surface at high temperatures to create a decorative coloured coating. It appears on various cigarette and card cases.
- Gilt lined
- A thin layer of gold applied to the interior surface of a silver case or box. This treatment protects the silver from tarnishing through contact with contents.
- Salver tray
- A flat serving vessel used for presenting calling cards or letters. They appear in both solid silver and silver-plated formats.
Vintage Silver Call: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vintage silver call?
A vintage silver call encompasses both audible desk bells used for summoning service and the pocket accessories associated with social calling, such as card cases and aide memoires.
These pieces date primarily from the Victorian and Edwardian eras through to the mid twentieth century, reflecting the domestic and social habits of those periods.
How were desk bells used?
Desk bells and table bells sat on reception counters, desks, and dining tables to summon household staff or attendants.
Operators pressed a plunger or struck a small hammer against the dome to produce a clear ring, sometimes employing novelty mechanical designs shaped like animals.
How do I identify an Edwardian piece?
Edwardian pieces date from the reign of King Edward VII between 1901 and 1910, often displaying hallmarks from specific assay offices like Birmingham, Chester, or London.
Stylistically, they often feature slender card cases, stamp cases, and aide memoires with refined engraved decoration distinct from heavier Victorian designs.
What materials are common in these items?
The objects utilise sterling silver, silver plate, and sometimes gilt metal or brass for structural bases and bells.
Decorative elements frequently incorporate enamel, coloured glass, cow horn, or Connemara marble alongside the primary metalwork.