Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Nude Woman Electric Bell Push Servant Call Button c. 1900

This is a remarkable and highly unusual antique Art Nouveau electric bell push dating to circa 1900, featuring a female nude beautifully integrated into a sinuous sculptural composition.

The woman is depicted in a stylized pose, her extraordinarily elongated body following the organic curves, characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement. One arm extends gracefully towards the large circular bell button, while her legs merge into a sweeping, almost mermaid-like curve terminating in a dramatic circular flourish. The entire composition is wonderfully sculptural, with the figure and bell push forming a unified design.

The metal appears to be patinated bronze or another copper alloy, with a rich, dark surface showing areas of warm reddish-brown colour and natural green verdigris acquired with age. The bronze itself is quite substantial, measuring approximately 6 5/8 inches in length.

The figure and bell push are mounted on an organically shaped wooden backplate that closely follows the flowing contours of the bronze. The back retains the early electrical bell mechanism, along with old wiring and later repairs or alterations to the wiring. The bell push itself depresses when pressed, although the electrical function has not been tested.

Electric servant-call systems were already well established by the late nineteenth century, and decorative bell pushes such as this could have been installed in fashionable interiors to summon domestic staff. Given its sensual female subject, this example may conceivably have been intended for a bedroom, boudoir or other private interior, although its exact original use cannot be determined.

The precise country of origin is unknown. The design is strongly Continental European in character, and French, Belgian or Austrian manufacture are possibilities. Vienna in particular became known for unusual and sometimes erotic figural bronzes incorporating functional objects during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. No visible maker's signature has been found. There may possibly be a mark concealed on the underside of the bronze, but the piece has not been removed from its original wooden backplate in order to preserve the old assembly.

A rare and fascinating survivor from the early age of domestic electricity, combining Art Nouveau sculpture, decorative art and early electrical technology.

Measurements

Wooden backplate: 7 1/2 inches high × 5 1/4 inches across the top

Bronze figure and bell push: approximately 6 5/8 inches high × 4 inches wide

Condition

In very good condition with age-related character. The bronze retains a dark patina with areas of reddish-brown colour, natural green oxidation and surface wear. The wooden backplate shows scratches, wear, old mounting holes and age-related cracks and splits, particularly visible from the reverse. The reverse also shows old modifications or repairs around the electrical mechanism and wiring. The wiring itself includes later repairs or alterations and should be inspected by a qualified person before any attempt is made to connect or use the bell electrically.

The push button depresses mechanically, but the electrical function has not been tested. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

This is a rather uncommon object that incorporates art nouveau design, attractive form, quality metal work and early electrical function - great acquisition for the collector!

Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Nude Woman Bell Push c. 1900

This remarkable antique electric bell push dates to circa 1900 and features a female nude beautifully incorporated into a flowing Art Nouveau composition.

The woman is depicted in a highly stylized pose, her extraordinarily elongated body following the sinuous organic curves characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement. One arm extends towards the large circular push button, while her legs merge into a sweeping, almost mermaid-like form terminating in a dramatic circular flourish. The figure, button housing and surrounding metalwork form a unified sculptural design.

The metal appears to be patinated bronze or another copper alloy. It has developed a rich dark surface with warm reddish-brown highlights, scattered green verdigris and natural wear acquired over more than a century.

The bronze figure and bell push are mounted on an organically shaped wooden backplate that closely follows the contours of the composition. The reverse retains an early electrical push-button mechanism, along with old wiring and later repairs or alterations. The button depresses mechanically, but the electrical function has not been tested.

Electric servant-call systems were already established by the late nineteenth century, and decorative bell pushes such as this could have been installed in fashionable homes to summon domestic staff. Given its sensual female subject, this example may have been intended for a bedroom, boudoir or another private interior, although its precise original use cannot be confirmed.

The country of origin is unknown. Its design is strongly Continental European in character, with French, Belgian or Austrian manufacture all possible. Vienna was particularly associated with unusual figural bronzes incorporating practical functions during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

No visible maker’s signature has been found. There may possibly be a mark concealed beneath the bronze, but the piece has not been removed from the wooden backplate in order to preserve the old assembly.

A rare survivor from the early age of domestic electricity, combining Art Nouveau sculpture, decorative metalwork and early electrical technology.

Measurements

Wooden backplate: 7 1/2 inches high × 5 1/4 inches across the top

Bronze figure and bell push: approximately 6 5/8 inches high × 4 inches wide

Condition

In very good condition with age-related character.

The bronze retains a dark patina with reddish-brown highlights, natural green oxidation, scattered marks and surface wear. The wooden backplate shows scratches, old mounting holes, cracks and age-related splits, particularly visible from the reverse.  The wood , although old, may not be contemporary to the bronze piece.

The reverse shows old modifications or repairs around the electrical mechanism and wiring. The wiring includes later repairs or alterations and should be inspected by a qualified person before any attempt is made to connect or operate the bell.

The push button depresses mechanically, but the electrical function has not been tested. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

This uncommon object brings together expressive Art Nouveau design, sculptural form, quality metalwork and early electrical function—a distinctive acquisition for a collector of antique bronzes, architectural hardware or early technology.