Baby's Rattle
1901 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This baby’s silver rattle is mounted with a teething ring of bone at one end. The other end has a loop for a ribbon or string and terminates in a whistle. Such teething implements, usually sticks or rings, were not only practical aids, helping the baby’s teeth to come through the gums. They were also seen as examples of sympathetic magic. Traditionally made of red or white coral, they symbolised either blood or bone respectively. The use of animal bone or tooth was also thought to confer the strength of the animal to fight off the pain of teething.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver and bone |
| Brief description | Baby's silver rattle with teething ring of bone made in England (Birmingham) in 1901 |
| Physical description | Baby's silver rattle mounted with a teething ring of bone. The rattle has a bulbous central section with scrolling ornament, hung with six enclosed cone-shaped bells; there are a further two bulbous tiers above, which are hung with three enclosed cone-shaped bells, and two below. One end of the rattle extends into an enclosed cone-shaped tube finishing at the top with a silver loop on which the teething ring is mounted; the other end has a loop for a ribbon or string and terminates in a whistle. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | CS (six-point star) FS/ anchor/ lion/ b (Hallmark; just below teething ring; stamping)
|
| Credit line | Given by Miss Esther Figelstone |
| Production | The assay marks show that the piece was originally stamped with a different set of maker's initials |
| Summary | This baby’s silver rattle is mounted with a teething ring of bone at one end. The other end has a loop for a ribbon or string and terminates in a whistle. Such teething implements, usually sticks or rings, were not only practical aids, helping the baby’s teeth to come through the gums. They were also seen as examples of sympathetic magic. Traditionally made of red or white coral, they symbolised either blood or bone respectively. The use of animal bone or tooth was also thought to confer the strength of the animal to fight off the pain of teething. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.90-1963 |
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| Record created | February 4, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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