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George III child’s rattle
Attributed to Mary Ann Croswell1808/1808
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Washington, D.C., United States
Attributed to Mary Ann Croswell, this children’s rattle is known as a “coral-and-bells.” It includes a whistle, bells, and a piece of coral used for teething. Coral was believed to promote health and increase good fortune. Costly to produce, rattles such as this were only for the wealthy and used on special occasions.
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Details
- Title: George III child’s rattle
- Creator: Attributed to Mary Ann Croswell
- Creator Lifespan: ca. 1775
- Creator Gender: Female
- Creator Death Place: Unknown
- Creator Birth Place: Unknown
- Date: 1808/1808
- artist profile: Mary Ann Croswell lived in London and was registered as a silversmith in 1805. In 1816, she registered her second mark and was active until around 1819. More than 300 women silversmiths worked in England between the late-17th and mid-19th centuries. These expert artisans often crafted small intricate pieces like this rattle, highlighting their artistic prowess and technical skills. Croswell taught her trade to her son Henry in 1819.
- Physical Dimensions: h5.375 in
- Type: Silverwork
- Rights: Silver collection assembled by Nancy Valentine, purchased with funds donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oliver R. Grace and family; Photography by Lee Stalsworth
- Medium: Silver
- National Museum of Women in the Arts’ Exhibition: “Women Silversmiths from the NMWA Collection,” 2012–13
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