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- Description:
- Coral and bells were rattles, whistles and teethers for fairly well to do babies in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century. It is also plausible that some were used in the country in the seventeenth century as they are depicted in European paintings from that era.Silversmiths produced these for purchase in gold and more commonly in silver. The coral could be replaced if it was broken or got too gummy.The coral is an essential part of this piece.It is smooth and cool for teething . Coral was believed to be a good luck charm for newborns. Many babies were, and in Italy still are, given reddish orange coral necklaces or trinkets upon their birth as the color is said to reflect the cheeks of a healthy baby.
- Date Issued:
- [1750 TO 1825]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Coral and bells was the common name for a baby rattle and teether-the bells made noise as the baby sucked on the coral and blew through the whistle.Coral was a cool, hard substance that felt good against teething gums; silversmiths kept a stock of gold and silver findings as well as coral to replace parts that were damaged.Many were made of silver and coral, probably fewer made in gold.Engraved initials indicate this may well have been a baby gift and those are the baby's initals.
- Date Issued:
- [1735 TO 1770]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection