Antique Silver Bells

We are pleased to offer a fine range of antique sterling silver bells. All of our antique silver bells can be purchased online, or from our shop in the London Silver Vaults. Please click on an image of a bell to see a larger picture

Read more about Silver Bells...

	e7261 - Sterling Silver Bell: This lovely, ornate, sterling silver bell, is modelled as a woman, and features very ornate chased decoration. The bell carries hallmarks for London in 1966, and measures 8cm tall.	£415
	e7513 - Sterling Silver Bells: George V, this pretty sterling silver bell has foliate detail, and a wooden base. It is 8cm high. Made in Sheffield 1922 by James Dixon & Sons.	£925

More Information On Silver Bells

Sterling silver bells have been made since the mid 18th century, but are rare before around the 1790’s, with the earliest known examples being from around the 1740’s. Most silver bells take a similar form, with an inverted cup like mid part (termed the krater), a flared mouth, vertical handle, and clapper (also termed the tongue). The clapper strikes against the lower rim of the bell, (sometimes referred to as the sound-bow), and it is this which causes the bell to vibrate and emit a musical note. Typically this lower rim is undecorated, but may occasionally feature ribbed decoration, whilst the cup can often be ornately decorated, either with chased or engraved work. The most decorative silver bells are figural bells, made to represent various human figures as well as animals.

Antique sterling silver table bells have been made since the Victorian period, although these work in a different way. The bell is left still on the table, and the clapper is operated either by a plunger or screw style mechanism, again causing the clapper to strike the sound-bow and produce a musical tone. These silver bells can be mounted onto bases, and are often ornately decorated with pierced and chased work.