Whiting Manufacturing Company
Table Bell

Public Domain

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Maker Whiting Manufacturing Company(American, active 1866–1926)American, active 1866–1926

CultureAmerican

Titles

Table Bell

Datec. 1873

Possible placeNew York, New York, United States

Possible placeNorth Attleboro, Massachusetts, United States

MediumSilver

Dimensions5 3/8 × 2 1/8 in. diameter (13.7 × 5.4 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Isabel B. Wilson and Maconda B. O'Connor in memory of Antonietta Borges-Hellmund

Object numberB.2000.12

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Metals Study Room

On view

Explore Further

Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionA silver table bell suggests a well-equipped and orderly household with enough means to have domestic employees. The terminal of the bell’s handle is fashioned as a bird feeding its young in the nest, an emblem of the nurture and protection that were elements of the so-called cult of domesticity that praised a woman’s role as virtuous homemaker.
Provenance[Phyllis Tucker Antiques, Houston]; purchased by MFAH, 2000.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Gothic monogram engraved on the bell: C.E.B./ Dec. 2, 1873.; FROM/ Sister Julia.

Stamped on rim of bell: W [within a circle] 5 STERLING

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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