This intricately woven wire noisemaker is a rare find. Handmade in a balloon shape, its sweet tinkling sound comes from the blue glass beads inside six small bells and one larger one at the top. The tin bells were originally painted in blue, red and silver, but most now bear just traces of the paint. The carved wooden handle was painted black and is now alligatored and faded. At the base of the handle is an opening which may have held something, but we're not sure what it was. 

Probably part of a costume for celebrations like Mardi Gras, this French wire item is 11 inches long, 3 inches across the broadest wire part and weighs a mere 3 ounces. It's an unusual collectible and a rarely found decorative item.

EB 5203