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I am an antique dealer/collector in New York's' Hudson Valley. Although I do not usually get the opportunity to trade in Tiffany & Co wares, I was privileged enough to acquire an amazing piece at the bottom of a recent bulk antique costume-jewellery purchase. I am in possession of a Tiffany & Co 14k Gold & Mother of Pearl Baby Rattle/Teether/Whistle. The over-all length is 4 1/8" . The Mother of Pearl teether (1 7/16" diameter X 1/4" thick) is completely intact and snugly engaged in the handle, secured with a 14k pin. Each bell (5/8" diameter X 3/8" thick) is individually stamped with "Tiffany & Co" and "14k" marks. The handle (3 1/8" long ) also serves as a whistle, with three exhaust holes on either side of the upper portion and the mouthpiece at the bottom. There are some scratches and a small dent on the handle. An inscription on the handle reads: "To Davey-" on one side and "Uncle Jascha" on the other (My own research has led me to believe that this piece may have been a gift from the great Jascha Heifetz to one of his two younger sisters' many children).
Thus far, I have not found a single dealer in my area who has seen it's equal; even in a lesser metal, but everyone is more than happy to expound conjectures of origin.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Thank you for your time
Inscribed "To Davey-" and "Uncle Jascha"
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Re: Rare Tiffany & Co. 14k Gold and Mother of Pearl Baby...
With gold being as high in value as it currenly is , with items in gold there is a fine line between its melt value and its value as an antique. From the images this pieces appears to date from the turn of the 19th century, we've not seen one to match by Tiffany, but would put a value on it over $500.00