This antique silver rattle in the form of a mermaid has a gracefully curled tail with engraved scales and rocaille motifs in relief. In her hands she holds a horn, as if blowing it. The rattle is fitted with six silver bells and a silver jasseron chain.

Rattles were given to young children for centuries, both as playthings and for their supposed beneficial effects. The gentle sound of the bells was meant to amuse the child and, when restless, to calm and soothe it. The teething piece provided relief when the first teeth began to emerge: by biting on it, the child could massage the gums, which had a soothing effect. Once able to stand, the child often wore the rattle on a ribbon or chain around the neck, blowing the small whistle — a playful exercise thought to strengthen the lungs while also attracting attention.

Beyond these practical functions, the rattle was also believed to possess protective powers. In an age when parents faced high infant mortality and had little defence against disease, they sought comfort in superstition and magical charms. The sound of the bells was thought to drive away evil spirits, and the rattle was therefore often hung above the cradle, just out of the child’s reach. The jingling also served a practical purpose: it reassured parents or the nurse that they could always hear where the child was.