Rattle
ca.1890 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The rattle in its most basic form, as a simple toy to divert a baby, goes back to at least the 2nd century BC. It has also been made of some extremely basic materials, such as a dried gourd, or a piece of hollowed-out bone filled with dried peas.
Rattles made from precious metals such as silver and gold are familiar from child portraits of the sixteenth century onward. They were often given as Christening presents and handed down through families.
Rattles made from precious metals such as silver and gold are familiar from child portraits of the sixteenth century onward. They were often given as Christening presents and handed down through families.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilded base metal (possibly lead) on a bone handle; silk tassels |
| Brief description | Rattle for a baby, lyre-shaped gilt metal with baubles and tassels, on a bone handle; Germany or Austria, ca.1890 |
| Physical description | The rattle consists of a lyre-shaped frame of gilded metal mounted on a bone handle. The frame contains two narrow horizontal bars, from which hung four small ringing baubles, and the bars are divided by a central upright which terminates in a rigid loop for an optional ribbon or cord. The frame is decorated with beading and arabesque foliage, and a bauble with a silken tassel hangs from each of the finials. The bone handle is plain, and ovoid in shape with a small hole in one face. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | E (Stamped above handle)
|
| Credit line | Given by Kitty Todor |
| Object history | Given by by Miss K Todor (RF 90/443). The donor states that the rattle belonged to Ernst Schlesinger who was born c.1890 in Vienna and fell as a member of the German forces during the 1914-18 War. He was the eldest of four children, and the rattle may also have been used by his siblings Franz, Johann, & Lilli. |
| Production | Said to date from c.1890, but possibly earlier. See References: the article cited illustrates two examples said to date from c.1820, which are not only similar in appearance to this rattle, but made using a similar technique superseded in Germany by the end of the century. |
| Summary | The rattle in its most basic form, as a simple toy to divert a baby, goes back to at least the 2nd century BC. It has also been made of some extremely basic materials, such as a dried gourd, or a piece of hollowed-out bone filled with dried peas. Rattles made from precious metals such as silver and gold are familiar from child portraits of the sixteenth century onward. They were often given as Christening presents and handed down through families. |
| Bibliographic reference | Article 'Kinder oder Babyrasseln heissen sie nur im Lexikon' pp 17-19 in September 1990 Puppen & Spielzeug |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.231-1991 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
