Table Bell in the Form of a Chambermaid 1730 - 1740

This is a porcelain table bell in the form of a chambermaid, made in Vienna. The bell transforms the figure of a chambermaid into an object of utility and decor, reflecting the complex social hierarchies of its time. Chambermaids were often young women from rural areas, seeking employment in urban centers, and this piece freezes her into an eternal servitude. The bright colors and decorative details of her clothing contrast sharply with the reality of her daily life, likely marked by long hours, low pay, and social invisibility. The bell invites its user to summon her with a ring, reinforcing her role as a constant, ever-available presence. It also begs the question of how those in service roles are seen and heard—or perhaps more accurately, not seen and not heard—in the spaces they occupy. As you consider this object, reflect on the power dynamics it embodies and the voices it silences.