TGIF, Friends! Do you have fun plans for the weekend? We are still in packing mode around here but I wanted to quickly share with you something I discovered recently regarding antique baby rattles.
A few weeks ago I went to this amazing shop in Warrington that sells estate jewelry and certified diamonds. They also sell tons of antiques! While I was shopping I spied a case of antique baby rattles. There were silver cups, spoons, and rattles galore! I am particularly drawn to the rattles with a mother-of-pearl teething ring and a little silver rattle like this one:
I thought I’d buy several and save them as baby gifts in the future. Since we’re moving soon I figured it would be smart to go ahead and pick up a few. Guess how much for each rattle? $65. So much for just picking up a few. Instead I turned to eBay!
Even rattles that are not in the best shape on eBay are still pricey. Some of the rattles actually have dents and teeth marks! I did find a few that appeared to be in decent shape so I bid on a few and won! This is how the rattles looked when I opened the package. Dirty and tarnished but still so sweet!
I used fresh lemon juice and baking soda to gently clean the rattles. Naturally you don’t want to use a silver polish or cleaner on a baby rattle. This is how they look after a good cleaning! I think they are precious.
I especially love the little elephant rattle. I wish it had a mother-of-pearl teething ring but this ring seems to made of plastic. Still adorable. I’d love to know how old they are!
Each of the teething rings/rattles were around $15 to $20 each on eBay. Much better than $65, right? I need to find a good place that will do engraving for me once we move South. Won’t these make sweet little baby gifts?
I love to give unique gifts for a new baby or baby shower and these rattles will be a pretty keepsake. One of my friends gave our son a silver baby rattle with his initials engraved on it and I still have it! My Mother gave my older son a tiny blue New Testament Bible with his name on it when he was born. I still have that too! (Shocker.) I bid on (and won) this pretty vintage pewter rattle and it is still in its original package. It’s by Elegant Baby and will make a great baby gift. The box says “Elegant gifts for elegant babies”. I like it!
So, if you are in the market for a sweet and unique baby gift, don’t forget about eBay! If you don’t feel like bidding on an item you can always select the “buy it now” option. Do you have a “signature baby gift” you like to give? My sister, Wendy, likes to give a soft little lamb that plays Jesus Loves Me. I’m thinking the rattles will become my signature gift!
I hope you all have a lovely weekend! And Happy Mother’s Day to all of you out there! I hope your children spoil you rotten! (or at least call!) Thanks for stopping by! xoxo Dell
Interesting Side Note: Per Bibliotheca Wittockiana, baby rattles are the world’s oldest toy. The materials in which the rattles were made of indicated the wealth of the child’s family, hence the mother-of-pearl and silver rattles. The rattles were also lucky charms to “protect babies against disease and sorcery.” Cool!