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The Web Childhood Museum Rattles and Soothers page 2 |
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Left, early 19th century bone rattle and whistle. Centre 2 Vegetable ivory rattles with bone handles. Right. Dolls early plastic rattle. Bone examples were often made by prisoners of war as early as the Napoleonic wars, also many were made by Sailors, while on long sea voyages. |
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Bone or ivory teething rings with ‘Dolly’ rattles c1915-1920. Right, 1921 rattle and soother. The silver dummy has an ivory shield, (modern teat), ivory shields were used to prevent the child sucking the teat too far down its throat. It would have been pinned to the child’s clothing. |
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Selection of rattles dating from the 1940’s to 1980’s. |
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3 plastic rattles. Left 1930’s/40’s. Centre and Right 1960’s. |
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Selection of rattles, bits and bobs and 4 early plastic pram rattles. |
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Left. A selection of ivory, bone and plastic teethers. The long teethers in the centre are often classed as ‘Scrimshaw Teethers’ and were intended to be hung over the cot, so had the duel purpose of entertaining the child by rattling and could be pulled them down and giving the teething child something to chew on. Many sailors would make these bone and whale tooth teethers. Up to the early/mid 1800’s teethers/rattles were called many names such as Coral’s, Baby Bells and Gumsticks. |
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Right. Ivory and bone dummy or teether possibly Victoria. (again if anyone knows I would be very pleased to hear) I’m not sure if a rubber teat was placed over the ivory or bone but suspect not. The little sucking bag with its bells was probable added by Mother or Nanny. Sucking bags were use during the 1700’s to nourish the infant as they would be filled with bread, milk and sugar, they are also thought to have been a favourite remedy of nurses for exercising the mouths of children. |
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Copyright for text and photographs J. Oakes, strictly no reproduction without prior permission, please email. |
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Selection of dummies dating from the 1940’s to the modern day. back NUK for ages 1 & a half to 2 years of age. |
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3 early rubber dummies |
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I can recommend a book called Collecting Baby Rattles and Teethers by Marcia Hersey. It excellent and has some lovely photographs, it often comes up on Ebay. |