Two 19th Century Silver Baby Rattle Whistles

Second half 19th century, each with ebonized turned wood handles, the larger featuring a wide eyed cat, the ferrule marked "STERLING / SILVER" (7 1/2 in.), the shorter of a seated dog dressed in courtly attire, unmarked (5 7/8 in.).

Private Collection, New Bern, North Carolina

Cat form with rubbing to handle, some mis-shaping to rattle balls, and with small dents to whistle mouthpiece.