Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle

[Kimmienemo]

Hello again!  It's been a while and I have missed the bantering and advise of the members of this forum!  I hope all is well with those I have shared messages with in the past!

I have come across a little item that has been in our family for quite a while.  Rumor has it that it might have been a bosan's whistle.  I have seen some similar to this that were baby pacifiers.  I have also been told that it might have been a whistle used to summon slaves.  (My father's not-so-distant ancestors were from the south).

I would greatly appreciate your advice and thought on this little piece.  It appears to be shell of some kind, with a silver whistle top.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kimmienemo

[KC]

It wasn't unusual to have baby rattles with whistles.

Here's a trove of them to peruse
http://www.ghislainechaplier.co.uk/rattles-whistles.html?1d9cc108eeb4c10e67c cb069656c1552=b1868d3235bb29723d52bb89bc4554bd

[Kimmienemo]

Hi KC!  It's good to hear from you again!

This object is just shell and whistle. . . no rattle.  I have seen the older vintage rattles (and absolutely love them), but not one quite like this.  As I mentioned the old rumor in the family is that it was a bosan's whistle or a slave whistle.

Any idea of how old?  I know my grandmother (and I am 52) had it and gave it to my father.  However, she only knew the rumors of its use. 

Again, good to "hear" from you!

[Kimmienemo]

By the way, KC. . . thank you for the link!   

[KC]

You are welcome!

Have seen in the past that they were considered teethers and/or pacifiers!  If you looked at several of the rattles that were posted previously, they had this part on them as well!

Read this article!
http://golfgal.hubpages.com/hub/Uncommon-History-of-the-Baby-Pacifier-alias-Binky

Note the style of the shell area on this Tiffany teething/rattle!
http://www.kovels.com/201009228038/Collectors-Concerns/tiffany-a-co-rattle/Print.html

[KC]

And more
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/victorian-sterling-babys-pacifier-rattle-whistle-m-o

Here it is noted as a pacifier and Nanny Whistle!
http://www.jeannesullivandesign.com/pacifier-nanny-whistle-sterlingmother-of-pearl

[mart]

You are on top of this one KC !!!  Excellent !!!  How is that house coming ??  Finished yet ??

[KC]

Mart, not finished by a long shot.  Stopped working a few weeks ago and going to start interviewing contractors next week for the work we can't do ourselves.  So, constant disarray.  (Good reason to have a dusty house!) 

[greenacres]

KC, it's hard to live under construction. You never know where anything is.

[mart]

Having a carpenter/ builder/Dad/family,, I don`t think we ever had one that was completely finished !! Got close once though,, only the garage was under constant construction !!

[KC]

Totally agree geenacres!  Mart, we inherited a family cabin in CA years ago and sold it.  It was started before my hubby was born and when we got it it still wasn't finished.  Found out it had never been signed off by building inspectors from the 40's.  But, we swore we would never end up like that and so far so good!!!