Silver Rattle Tradition: History and Custom for Birth and Christening

Silver Rattle Tradition — where the custom comes from

A silver rattle is a gift with a history. Centuries ago, children of wealthy families already held rattles and teethers made of silver — this can be traced in portraits and in museum collections. In this guide you will learn what can be documented about this history and what remains tradition, who gives a silver rattle for a birth or christening, what the motifs can mean and how you care for silver. If you would rather choose straight away: you will find all designs and motifs in the overview of baby rattles in 925 silver.

Silver children’s rattles with little bells have survived from the 17th and 18th centuries, some with a whistle and a teether made of coral or mother-of-pearl, for example. In the Netherlands, such a piece was called a “Rinkelbel”. In his trade book of 1679, the London goldsmith William Badcock lists “bells and sockets for corals” among the goldsmith’s works — an indication that such pieces were part of what the workshops offered.

Coral was more than a material. Two English authors, Reginald Scot (1588) and John Aubrey (1692), report that children wore coral as protection against bewitchment and the “evil eye” — although Scot considered this superstition. The sound of the little bells was also said to drive away evil spirits. This is folk belief and tradition; we claim none of it for today’s rattles.

History of the baby rattle — status symbol and gift among relatives

From the Renaissance to the late 19th century, elaborate rattles were luxury objects among the European upper classes. Specialised workshops made them from materials such as silver, coral or mother-of-pearl, and they displayed the wealth and standing of the family — as described by the McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal. Research on the Dutch Rinkelbel also notes that particularly precious pieces were given by close relatives or by the godparents (Annemarieke Willemsen).

What cannot be documented without gaps: an unbroken line from these rattles to today’s christening gift. It is documented that in the Netherlands precious Rinkelbels were given by relatives or godparents. That this became a fixed custom shared by all families belongs more to tradition. Today, people choose a silver rattle for very different reasons — a choice, not an obligation.

Christening rattle custom — who gives it, and what it says

Godparents: Anyone who becomes a godparent often looks for a gift that makes the bond with the godchild visible. In many families silver is a familiar material for this, but there is no obligation. You will find ideas in the guide What does a godparent give for a christening? and among the gifts for godparents to give.

Grandparents: Grandmothers and grandfathers like to choose a gift that bears the grandchild’s name and date of birth. It is a personal greeting that the child can later read for themselves.

Parents, relatives and friends: For a birth or a baby shower, the silver rattle is a gift of welcome. More occasions and ideas can be found among the gifts for a birth and the gifts for a christening.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

A name and a date turn the rattle into a personal gift. Whether engraving is possible depends on the design: a smooth handle takes a name and date, a handle with relief usually does not, and on the ring rattles only the heart can be engraved. You add the engraving service flat fee to your cart together with the rattle, one for each engraved item; we then agree the wording with you. If engraving the piece is not possible, we refund the flat fee. All steps are explained in the guide to the engraving service for silver baby gifts.

For every rattle without engraving there is the SilberVerse card: free on request, a verse of three to four lines on the occasion and the name in the language of your choice, printed as a 15 × 10 cm photo card in landscape format, in a standard picture frame in silver, white or black. The verse and the card image are created with the help of AI based on your details.

What the motifs can mean

Motifs on rattles have always been interpreted — as symbolism and tradition, not as a promise. The teddy bear stands for security and childhood, the heart for affection. The angel is regarded as a motif of protection and christening, stars and moon are read as dreams and orientation. In many cultures the elephant is associated with strength and family unity, the frog with luck and new beginnings, the ladybird with luck and protection. It is worth choosing the motif according to what you would like to give the child to take along.

From tradition to today’s rattle

Today’s silver rattles are available as handle rattles, as rattles with an acrylic ring and as ring rattles made of silver. They differ in how they sit in the hand and what can be engraved. You will find the guide to choosing, with all designs, motifs and engraving options, among the silver rattles in 925 sterling silver. Every rattle comes in an elegant gift box, ready to give.

Care — how silver stays beautiful

Wash the rattle by hand with warm water and mild washing-up liquid and dry it immediately with a soft cloth. The dishwasher is off-limits. Silver tarnishes over time; this is a natural reaction with the air. When needed, you can polish it back up with a soft silver polishing cloth. Store the rattle in a dry place, ideally in the gift box or a soft fabric pouch. More on this in the care instructions for 925 silver and in the article Caring for silver.

Frequently asked questions about history and custom

Since when have there been silver rattles for children?
Silver children’s rattles with little bells have survived from the 17th and 18th centuries, in museum collections as well as in portraits showing children with silver-mounted coral. From the Renaissance to the late 19th century, elaborate rattles were luxury objects among the European upper classes.

What were the coral and the little bells on old rattles for?
Coral was regarded as an amulet against the “evil eye”, and the sound of the little bells was said to drive away evil spirits. This is folk belief from earlier centuries; the English author Reginald Scot himself considered it superstition in 1588.

Who gives the silver rattle for a christening, godparent or grandparents?
Both are possible, as are parents, relatives and friends. It is documented that in the Netherlands precious Rinkelbels were given by relatives or godparents. Today there is no fixed rule; more ideas in the guide What does a godparent give for a christening?.

Can I have a silver rattle engraved?
On selected models, depending on the design. You order the engraving service flat fee with the rattle, and we then agree the wording with you. All steps are described in the engraving guide; for rattles without an engraving surface there is the SilberVerse card.

Are antique silver rattles the same as new ones?
Antique rattles are collector’s pieces with their own history and signs of use. We stock new rattles in 925 sterling silver (on models with an acrylic ring, the rattle body), no antique ones and no silver-plated ones; you will find them in the baby rattles collection.

Further articles and collections

• Silver christening gifts — the complete guide
• Christening gift sets in 925 sterling silver
• All baby rattles in 925 silver at a glance