A rare George II provincial silver babies rattle, Plymouth circa 1750 by Joseph Collier

Of faceted section with a compressed square knop, eight bells suspended. The whistle section pierced with a club. Coral teether (detached), suspension ring. Engraved to the side “The gift of Mr AF to EB”. Maker’s mark only JC script to the whistle section.

Length – 15.2 cm / 6 inches

Joseph Collier (1692-1764) was a quaker and made a freeman in 1714, registering his first mark at Exeter on 11 Feb 1714 and a sterling standard on the 19 Feb 1721. The list of items between 1714-60 by Collier does not record a rattle, Rendle, R. S., (1986), The Goldsmiths and Silversmith of Plymouth, Devon circa 1600 to 1800, nor does Harrison, M., (2014), Exeter & West Country Silver,. Berforts Group, Hastings.