Guard, Hand
Object number2014.96.1
Date1879-1890
MediumSterling silver
Credit LineGift of Sue Corcoran
DescriptionSterling silver baby thumb guard. Guard has a round cage at top consisting of four vertical wires joined by a ring at top and a larger ring at bottom. Two of the four vertical wires extend past the cage and curl out to the sides at the bottom forming two square loops; a crossbar joins the two extensions just above the loops.Dimensions0.813 x 0.625 x 2.5 in. (2.1 x 1.6 x 6.4 cm)MarksEmbossed text on one of the extensions "STERLING" and embossed text on the crossbar "NOV 2315".
Historical NotesBaby thumb guard that belonged to the Morgan family. The thumb guard was used to stop babies from sucking their thumbs. The Morgans were Welsh immigrants. They came to Pittsburgh to work in the steel mills after working in the coal mines in Wales and living in Monmouth in Wales where the donor Sue Corcoran's great grandfather was the parish organist. The men immigrated first and then the women in circa 1885, including the donor's great grandmother and her two daughters age 6 and 4. The 6-year-old, Edith Minnie-May Morgan Dornbush, is the donor's grandmother and quite possibly the owner of the thumb guard. The donor's great grandfather played the organ at the Christian Science Church every Sunday in the Pittsburgh area.
Previous owner
Edith Minnie-May Morgan Dornbrush
Terms
On View
Not on viewCollections
1985-2005
