Object Description
An interesting and unusual antique child’s teething rattle c.1800 formed of a piece of carved and polished rich orange coral (Corallium rubrum) mounted into a two-tone yellow gold rattle with mouth-piece formed of a whistle, the collar hung with six coral beads and round two gold bells and decorated with patterned bands. Accompanied by the original red leather case lined with cream silk.
Period
Circa 1800
Origin
Probably English
Gemstones
1 x piece of carved coral
6 x coral beads
Setting
2 colour yellow gold (unmarked)
Weight
48 grams
Dimensions
12cm / 4.7″ long x 3cm / 1.18″ at widest point
Condition
Very good
Provenance
Previously belonging to the late 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Patricia Knatchbull née Mountbatten. Accompanied by a handwritten note on pale blue writing paper with printed address for 7 Upper Belgrave Street S.W.1. surmounted by a coronet. The note reads: “Original Red Leather Case for gold and coral rattle which belonged to the little King of Rome (son of Napoleon I.) bought by Stuart Hodgson in Paris about 1870.” The address and coronet are those of Agatha, Marchioness of Sligo (1866-1965). The Stuart [sic] Hodgson referred to was the banker and art collector, James Stewart Hodgson.