[Bell Historians] Re: Enquiry about 'a new sconce"

[David Cawley]

And indeed, not only on older pianos. We have a fine modern wrought-iron "pair of sconces" (as described on the invoice) with 2" sockets, projecting from the easternmost pillar of the south nave arcade on either side of the statue of our Lady, in regular use here at St Mary de Castro, Leicester (now 10, 15-3-3 in E, and what a good ring they are though I say it myself).

DLC

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Willis 
  To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 10:54 AM
  Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] Re: Enquiry about 'a new sconce"





        At the risk of sounding like an edition of TV " Call my bluff "

        "Sconces" is a term used in the piano trade for pairs of candlestick fittings
        found on older pianos . ( subject to my spelling being correct ).

        These fittings can be more valuable than the piano itself !

        David


        --- On Sun, 17/5/09, cjgbells cjgbells at e-fpKY9FckwDEFJZ7zWu9u6d49PS4x8hb4E0yBo5ZCP7YOyC24tCZy3f9x8DZVpUKbx6ef90WLLQNlprAg.yahoo.invalid> wrote:

            When I was at College, a sconce was a silver tankard holding about a quart.  If one committed a breach of etiquette at dinner, such as talking about women or religion, one was "sconced" and was challenged to drink the contents in one draught.  The insurance company insisted it be kept in the safe at all times, so it is not a practice of today!
            I would suggest that the ringers might have been given a tankard.
         
        Christopher Sykes.
         

        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: Peter Trotman 
        To: bellhistorians@ yahoogroups. com 
        Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 2:23 PM
        Subject: [Bell Historians] Re: Enquiry about 'a new sconce"



        PS: I've already mentioned to the enquirer the use of rope spiders.

        On 4/25/09, Peter Trotman <webmaster at cccbr. org.uk> wrote:
        I would be grateful for any information with which to respond to the
        email below. I'm familiar with the use of light bulbs under vertical
        pipes as heaters to dry tail ends but have never known the term sconce
        applied to them.

        Peter Trotman

         ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =
         OLGA SHOTTON
        olgahome at btinternet .com>
        Dear Sir
        An English folksong celebrates the gift of 'a new sconce' to the
        ringers of Chew.
        The folk group who wish to add this song to their repertoire would
        like to know the meaning of 'sconce'. It is said to 'rise and to fall'
        so hardly likely to be the usual meaning of a light with a shiny
        backing.
        It has been suggested that it was a method of keeping bell-ropes soft
        and supple by hanging the ends in a circular container with some form
        of gentle heating (ie an oil lamp, or a lit electric lamp bulb.)
        I would be most grateful for any information that your Society can supply.
        Yours sincerely
        Olga Shotton


       



             
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