While its origins lie in the musical traditions of Southeast Asia, this percussion instrument was actually a staple of middle- and upper-class Victorian and Edwardian households. Servants of wealthy families or hotel employees would sound the dinner gong to signal daily activities such as dressing or, as the name suggests, serving a meal.

A symbol of colonialism and international trade, gongs were brought from Asia as a communication tool because their deafening noise could travel throughout large households. Ideal for Victorian culture, which was obsessed with etiquette and punctuality.

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