Horn Book
ca. 1705 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This horn book was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to her godson, Master Guy Selbright. His crest is engraved on the handle and the Queen's portrait medallion is on the back.
The horn book was an early learning tool for children, both rich and poor. This one is engraved with versions of the alphabet in both capital and lower-case letters and the Lord’s Prayer. Usually of wood, leather, bone, ivory, pewter or even gingerbread, horn books of silver were rare. Elizabeth I had one with a silver filigree frame.
The horn book was an early learning tool for children, both rich and poor. This one is engraved with versions of the alphabet in both capital and lower-case letters and the Lord’s Prayer. Usually of wood, leather, bone, ivory, pewter or even gingerbread, horn books of silver were rare. Elizabeth I had one with a silver filigree frame.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, engraved |
| Brief description | Horn book, silver, London, around 1703, mark of Thomas Kedder |
| Physical description | Of rectangular shape with an oblong handle in which a heart has been cut. On one side of the rectangular body are incised the letters of the alphabet in upper and lower case, the vowels and the Lord's Prayer. On the other side an attached portrait medallion of Queen Anne is surrounded by a hatched design of arrows within a border and in the centre with four stylised tulips. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Historical context | Silver has long been associated with childhood. To be born 'with a silver spoon' has a literal meaning. Silver spoons with decorative finials - apostles, lions or as shown here, a child's head - were given as christening gifts. A gift of silver for a child was a store of wealth for the future. Nursery silver, pap boats, porringers, rattles and saucepans were used for their hygienic qualities. |
| Summary | This horn book was a gift from Queen Anne (ruled 1702-1714) to her godson, Master Guy Selbright. His crest is engraved on the handle and the Queen's portrait medallion is on the back. The horn book was an early learning tool for children, both rich and poor. This one is engraved with versions of the alphabet in both capital and lower-case letters and the Lord’s Prayer. Usually of wood, leather, bone, ivory, pewter or even gingerbread, horn books of silver were rare. Elizabeth I had one with a silver filigree frame. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.2-1995 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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