WEBSTER VINT STAMPED STERLING SILVER BELL BABY RATTLE & BAKELITE TEETHING RING

Description

MID-20TH CENTURY
WEBSTER
VINTAGE
AME
RI
CAN
STAMPED STERLING SILVER BELTED
BELL
BABY RATTLE & OPALESCENT WHITE
BAKELITE TEETHING RING
[Manufactured by
Webb Silver Co.,
Philadelphia, PA]
(Circa 1950-1958)
Mid-20th century
Ame
ri
can
vintage
baby rattles, teething rings & sterling silver decorative items
DIMENSIONS:
1
3⁄4" ring Diameter x
3 1⁄4" Height
DESCRIPTION:
Manufactured post-WWII, circa 1950-1958 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
by the
Webster Silver Company.
It features a stamped and clearly marked sterling silver bell rattle, held to the variegated white opalescent bakelite teething ring by a
stamped sterling silver
(.925) clasped belt. It's also has a clear
'sterling'
stamped mark, as well as a stylized, stamped
'WEB'
maker's mark, which is the mark used by the
Philadelphia, PA
silver firm, the
Webster Silver Company.
The sterling silver (.925) bell rattle still has a small interior ball which makes a high-pitched, sweet sounding bell chime noise. The sterling silver bell itself has what appears to be bite marks from the previous young
Ame
ri
can
citizen who once clamped down on the bell with his or her new teeth, slightly compressing the sterling silver sidewalls of the bell. This wonderful mid-20th century cultural artifact would've distracted the teething baby in one of two ways, with the noise it created and with the reflective surfaces of both the sterling silver and the smooth, shiny opalescent bakelite teething ring. Made with great skill, high craft and artistry. Beautiful.
CONDITION:
Fair to Good overall vintage condition.