Rare Victorian Silver Bell Rattle/Whistle Toy

[UnderMiner]

Dug this up today. Didn't know what it was supposed to be. Got home and cleaned it up. Totally confused I consulted the internet and boy was I shocked - turns out this artifact is a child's toy that dates from about 1890-1900! They were made of silver and were essentially bell rattle/whistle toys. They were given to babies and young children by their wealthy victorian parents. Hard to believe as these are very small toys and children can easily choke on them, but back then I guess the adults didn't know too much about child safety.



There are three big silver bells and two little silver bells. The bells are connected to the handle that also serves as the whistle. There is a maker's stamp on the bottom that reads "RJK". According to the sources I can find online there were many varieties of silver bell rattle/whistles made in the late 1800's and this is one of the more rare examples. Prices for surviving examples vary between $200-$400.

 

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[trapperart]

Glad this is still alive hopefully it will get banner and we will see it for a while.

 

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[ScubaDetector]

Unbelievable it didn't get squashed in the dirt. Awesome find. Congrats on a unique find

 

[wagbert]

This beautiful and intricate piece of Victorian silver shows the differences on how a previous generation viewed child care. I hope this historical piece makes a BANNER find for you. These must be quite scarce.

 

[jeff of pa]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/50010627/victorian-baby-rattle-antique-sterling

 

[Appalachianman76]

Super cool and unique find!!! Love it! Congrats!!

 

[trapperart]

Can't believe this isn't up top yet

 

[Scrappy]

What a find. No crushing, damage or bends! What's the best way to clean something like that?

 

[UnderMiner]

What a find. No crushing, damage or bends! What's the best way to clean something like that?

Well when I found it all I had to do was bend the handle back so it would be straight and then I just put it under the running water of my kitchen sink to get the dirt off. Some soap and hot water works wonders
Oh and the whistle part I just used a toothpick to clean it out.

 

[deershed]

Surprised this hasn't made banner yet?? Can I vote banner twice. Lol

 

[K1DDO1979]

That's awesome! [emoji106]

 

[Tommy G]

What a unique find, and in excellent condition! Would love to see some pics of that fresh out of the ground. That would have been a real head-scratcher for me.

 

[Loco-Digger]

Awesome score UM, I voted Banner, this is the 1st one I have seen posted in the past 3 plus years that I have been here at Tnet.

 

[UnderMiner]

Awesome score UM, I voted Banner, this is the 1st one I have seen posted in the past 3 plus years that I have been here at Tnet.

Thanks Loco! I hear ya, when I saw it for the first time I thought it was some sort of junk bells off the end of a fishing rod or something, when it was cleaned up it still confused me until I looked it up online. Until then I didn't even know such a thing exited.

 

[ScubaDetector]

Jeff of PA's post doesn't show a sold price on it, HOWEVER, it does talk about the piece and states that he had it appraised by a gentleman at Heritage Auction House. 100 likes and the rattle sold. I am wondering if you should try to contact them and maybe they can tell you what it sold for and if they want to sell another one.

It might be worth a very pretty penny and be the centerpiece of someones collection with you reaping the reward. Totally up to you but a thought.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

I see your last two park hunts has been awfully amazing ,condition of all the antique silver found with your Ace is sick !
Time to celebrate , with a tall glassful of vino, cheers !

 

[trapperart]

I just can't believe this didn't make banner

 

[montcalm]

This is awesome Cong scarce I was thinking this was to call the servant in a big house, funny for kids . This would be banner for me but i guess i,m not able too yet.:-)

 

[Itsmine]

Great find!....Victorian rattles are counted by bells. I've seen a 7 and a 9 bell rattle. They can get very elaborate with ivory or coral "teething" ring or stick......This is a good sampling of how intricate they can be......https://www.google.com/search?q=vic...X&ved=0ahUKEwi1qNH9-7jRAhVk04MKHbp9DygQsAQIGQ