Chime Appraisal

Four-Note Musical Chime Dinner Gong

This is a vintage desktop or tabletop musical chime, frequently referred to as a dinner gong or service chime, featuring four distinct metallic bars. The instrument is constructed with four graduated brass or bronze-toned metal plates, each anchored to a dark wood frame via chrome-plated mushroom-head pins. Below each bar is a vertical resonator tube made of dark-finished metal or heavy plastic, designed to amplify the tone when struck. The chime set includes a single mallet with a clear acrylic or plastic handle and a rounded black rubber or felt-covered striking head. The overall construction shows a utilitarian yet mid-century modern aesthetic, likely dating from the mid-20th century (approx. 1950s-1970s). Physical condition appears used but fair; there is visible spotting and oxidation on the largest metal plate, minor surface scuffing on the resonator tubes, and general wear on the wooden side rails where the cordage is threaded. The cordage shows slight fraying at the knots. No manufacturer marks are immediately visible, but the design is evocative of those produced by companies like Deagan or Rythmes. The craftsmanship is professional, utilizing staggered lengths for a harmonic chord sequence typically used for signaling in domestic or professional settings.