Infant’s rattle, whistle and case

This piece was specially commissioned as a gift for Shiloh, the expected child of Joanna Southcott. It is made from solid silver and coral. Coral was believed to have magical protective qualities and also served as a teether. The piece includes a rattle of little silver bells and a whistle. It is marked with a dove and a star, two of the favourite symbols of Joanna Southcott, the so-called Exeter Prophetess and focus of a milennial sect. At the age of 64, Southcott announced that she was to give birth to the Messiah, or second-coming, whom she called Shiloh. She was soon equally celebrated and lampooned for her pronouncement. Southcott died in December 1814. Her followers explained that the child had been snatched away to heaven, to return at a more auspicious date.
The case for the rattle was made from Morocco ( goatskin dyed with a sumach based dye) and lined with green velvet. The silver is marked ‘WJ’.