What is servant bells?

Servant bells were a type of mechanical device used in households during the 18th and 19th centuries to summon servants and household staff. These bells took various forms, but typically consisted of a cord or chain that ran from a bell mounted in the main area of the house to a pull handle located in the rooms where the household staff were situated. When someone in the main area of the house pulled the cord or chain, the bell would ring, alerting the servants to attend to the needs of the homeowner. Servant bells were often found in large country houses and wealthy households with several floors, as it was more convenient than having to shout out for the staff.