Early 19th century piece made in Birmingham A very similar design can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection with the following description: (see fourth photo) “This object functioned as a toy with a whistle and bells, as a teething device and as an amulet. The silver of the whistle and bells made it precious, while the coral was used for teething and was thought to ward off enchantment and disease. As a token of protection and prosperity whistle and bells were included in an eighteenth-century American portrait of Mrs. Jacob Hurd and child as well as many Northern Renaissance paintings.”
Early 19th century piece made in Birmingham A very similar design can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection with the following description: (see fourth photo) “This object functioned as a toy with a whistle and bells, as a teething device and as an amulet. The silver of the whistle and bells made it precious, while the coral was used for teething and was thought to ward off enchantment and disease. As a token of protection and prosperity whistle and bells were included in an eighteenth-century American portrait of Mrs. Jacob Hurd and child as well as many Northern Renaissance paintings.”
