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Lot 563 SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL
Although children's rattles were known in various materials from the dawn of history, it was only during the Renaissance that silver rattles first appeared and are often seen in portraits of 16th and 17th Century children worn on chains around the waist. Coral, ivory and mother-of-pearl were the most popular materials used for the "pacifier" or teether and the really wealthy families might have a gold rather than a silver rattle. The coral was thought to cool the child's aching gums and acted as a "dummy".
Although children's rattles were known in various materials from the dawn of history, it was only during the Renaissance that silver rattles first appeared and are often seen in portraits of 16th and 17th Century children worn on chains around the waist. Coral, ivory and mother-of-pearl were the most popular materials used for the "pacifier" or teether and the really wealthy families might have a gold rather than a silver rattle. The coral was thought to cool the child's aching gums and acted as a "dummy".
A GROUP OF FIVE SILVER OR SILVER-GILT RATTLES AND WHISTLES, FOUR WITH CORAL TEETHERS
VARIOUS DATES AND MAKERS, 19TH CENTURY
Closed2 November 2011
Price Realised
GBP 750