Historical use of bellpulls

I know there are many in the ranks who have studied needlework history.
I'm wondering if the bellpulls we now make are based on the old-time
bellpulls the ladies of the house would ring to summon the housekeeper,
butler, whatever.

I am a collector of bells and got to thinking it might be kind of neat
to do a bellpull and actually attach a bell to it. Novel idea? (I'm
sure not.)

Anyway, some info from those more knowledgeable than I would be greatly
appreciated.


Helen in Washington, the State

wrote:
I know there are many in the ranks who have studied needlework history.
I'm wondering if the bellpulls we now make are based on the old-time
bellpulls the ladies of the house would ring to summon the housekeeper,
butler, whatever.

The bellpull you see wouldn't be far off from the needlework, but it
would reach to the ceiling, where it hung from a wire. That wire worked
via pulley system through holes in the walls to the kitchen where it
would ring a bell *there*. That would cause the servant to seek what was
wanted. The diferent bells would ring different tones to say which room
wanted help.

Think looooong ribbon with tassle. That's what was pulled.

-georg

I know there are many in the ranks who have studied needlework history.
I'm wondering if the bellpulls we now make are based on the old-time
bellpulls the ladies of the house would ring to summon the housekeeper,
butler, whatever.

I am a collector of bells and got to thinking it might be kind of neat
to do a bellpull and actually attach a bell to it. Novel idea? (I'm
sure not.)

Anyway, some info from those more knowledgeable than I would be greatly
appreciated.

Helen in Washington, the State

It is the same kind of bell pull, but the pull was in one room (drawing
room, library, ladies' withdrawing room, etc.) and the bell was in another
area where the servants would be. I think one of us has been reading too
many historical romance novels lately. :-)) I just finished reading
"Trouble With Harry". It was my favorite of the ones I've read. I didn't
want to smack Plum, like I did with the ladies of "Men in Kilts" (what
"real" woman would go to a sheep farm in Scotland and not bring a pair of
pants (trousers) :-)) with her??? or "Corset Diaries". :-)))
Liz from Humbug

Liz Hampton wrote:

It is the same kind of bell pull, but the pull was in one room
(drawing
room, library, ladies' withdrawing room, etc.) and the bell was in
another
area where the servants would be.


Well, that's disappointing. I may do it anyway, historical accuracy be
darned!


Helen in Washington, the State

Well, that's disappointing. I may do it anyway, historical accuracy be
darned!


Helen in Washington, the State

Go for it! There is no reason that a young (or older) woman with a sense of
humor couldn't put a bell on the bottom of her bell pull. :-))
Liz from Humbug
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