Baby rattle

This petite rattle originally belonged to writer Edith Wharton (1862-1937). Wharton, neé Edith Newbold Jones, probably received it as a christening gift. During her lifetime, Wharton regarded this rattle as a precious possession, and took it with her when she settled in France in 1911.

Rattles such as this example are often described as “coral-and-bells” or “whistle-and-bells.” Like most eighteenth- and nineteenth-century examples, this rattle consists of a baluster-form sterling silver handle with a shaped whistle mouthpiece at top, three contiguous bulbs ornamented with three small bells, and a small branch of red coral attached to bottom of the socket. The silver handle is ornamented with stamped and engraved flowers.

Coral-and-bells were given to merchant and upper class infants during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As symbols of elite status, the finest rattles were made of sterling silver and deep red Italian coral. Coral was believed to have mystical healing powers that could fend off evil, but was also considered to be a suitable material for teething.