Collections record Beta

Night watchman's Rattle

2007-28-2

Handle wooden, repeating desing of incised lines on handle. Knob at bottom of handle. Head of rattle perpendicular to handle. Oval or teardrop shaped. Rectangular hole cut into body of rattle. Spans 2/3 of body. At handle end is a star shaped piece of wood on which body of rattle revolves around. The tongue, which is missing, would protrude from the other end of the rattle towards the star, resting inbetween one of the grooves. As the rattle head rotated the tongue would click from groove to groove making a noise. Far end of rattle has brass plate on each side. Incised line at this end. Square piece of wood protruding from end where tongue should be inserted.

19th century

6" long x 10" wide x 2" deep

• wood