Things for Children - (Page 4 of 4)

The elaborate and expensive silver-gilt baby set was a gift for a baby boy. This sort of cutlery set was (and still is) a typical present at religious ceremonies such as baptism, or circumcision in which a newborn child was acknowledged and welcomed into a religious community.

Gifts are not only made for the child, but also for the parents. In the Netherlands, a silver-gilt linen basket or salver was traditionally received by the expectant parents from the father's mother, just before a baby was born - marking family bonds and blessings.

The little wooden commode highlights some of the more functional, but less decorated children's pieces in the collections, demonstrating the more practical aspects to bringing up children. This object provided an element of privacy for the child and a small wooden bench to play on... very practical!