Rattle in the Form of an Official Seal
Unknown Artist
late 19th–early 20th century
Medium
Silver with modern silk cord
Dimensions
H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification
Seals
Culture
China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Hortense S. Sacks, 1992
Accession Number
1992.389
Art Historical Context
This charming silver rattle, shaped like an official seal,ails from late 19th- to early 20th-century China a period bridging the Qing dynasty's final years and the early Republic. Measuring just 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) high, its petite scale belies its clever design: a functional rattle topped with a modern silk cord easy handling, likely intended as a toy for children. Crafted in gleaming silver—a precious metal prized for its durability and luster—the object showcases fine Chinese metalworking techniques, with intricate detailing that mimics the authoritative stamps used by officials to authen...