{"product_id":"1930s-ardente-aurashelle-bakelite-handheld-microphone","title":"1930s Ardente Aurashelle Bakelite Handheld Microphone","description":"\u003ch1\u003e1930s Ardente Aurashelle Bakelite Handheld Microphone\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis unusual little curio is a 1930s Ardente \u003cem\u003eAurashelle\u003c\/em\u003e Bakelite Handheld Microphone. It is being sold as a collectable for display only as it hasn't been tested and may have parts missing e.g. the bakelite battery pack holder has been replaced with a wire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Dimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiameter: 5.6cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 7.3cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManufactured by Ardente, (founded by R.H Dent in 1919), London, UK: (see 1935 Ardente advert, published after the George V Silver Jubilee, which is probably non P.C by today's standards...). It is becoming rare to find this type of item, which is actually a vintage hearing aid and acoustic\/vibratory therapy device designed for use in a hospital environment as opposed to a domestic setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoused in Bakelite, with a wire protruding from one of the openings on the base, the \u003cem\u003eAurashelle , \u003c\/em\u003ei\u003cspan\u003enstead of picking up sounds like a microphone, it did the opposite. Powered by a battery, (not included), the device contained two electromagnets that produced a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eloud, violent buzzing sound and mechanical vibration, (with loudness levels between 1 and 5 chosen via the sliding switch). It generally caused more harm than good as a medical device!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis unusual bakelite aural device is in pretty good condition, with surface scuffs and scratches commensurate with age and use. A great addition to a Science collection or Man Cave!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClick on the following links for more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mullard-antiques-and-collectibles.myshopify.com\/collections\/vintage-microphones-gramophone-hifi-musical-instruments\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003evintage microphones\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mullardantiques.co.uk\/collections\/vintage-medical-devices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003emedical devices.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ardente","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57718490825079,"sku":null,"price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0303\/5122\/8972\/files\/IMG_9510.jpg?v=1794230726","url":"https:\/\/mullardantiques.co.uk\/products\/1930s-ardente-aurashelle-bakelite-handheld-microphone","provider":"Mullard Antiques and Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}