Four glass rods mounted on a wooden base support a horizontal brass bar. Two brass rods hang from the bar, each with a bell attached. A glass tube is inserted between the rods, which serves to isolate the two small brass cylinders suspended from a cord.

In the centre of the wooden base is mounted a third bell (not original) which can be connected to the ground.

The device gives a spectacular demonstration of the attraction of opposite charges and the repulsion between charges of the same sign. When the horizontal rod is connected to an electrical machine, the external bells receive similar charges, while the central one is charged by induction and therefore has an opposite charge. The cylinders are attracted by the external bells and charged by contact, but then immediately repelled and attracted to the central bell – which in turn repels them immediately after contact.

The oscillation of the cylinders produces a chime.

Device on display.