Baby Eating a Rat Necklace

MATERIALS: Silver Tone: white brass charm on a stainless steel chain. Gold Tone: brass charm on a gold tone chain.  DIMENSIONS:  The head itself, without the bail (loop for hanging it), measures 3/4's of an inch tall and just under 3/4's of an inch wide. The bail measures 1/2 of an inch tall. This rat adorned, baby head necklace sits somewhere between baroque sentimentality and quiet horror. The face is soft and innocent, with delicate features. But there's something unsettling about it, too. The expression is ambiguous. And for some reason, this baby head has a rat crawling on it. Handmade in NYC, cast in sterling silver using traditional lost-wax metalsmithing. The oxidized finish settles into every curve and crevice, giving the piece depth and a lived-in quality that makes it feel antique even when it's brand new. The details are absurd for something this small: individual curls, the curve of the cheeks, the tiny open mouth. This isn't decoration. It's a small, strange object that holds weight, both physically and emotionally. It is for the person who finds beauty in the eerie and the sentimental at once, who gravitates toward baroque, gothic, or Renaissance-inspired imagery. It's for someone who wants jewelry that feels symbolic, who appreciates the tension between innocence and darkness, and who collects objects that feel like they have history. Want to know more? The inspiration for this necklace was subconscious. I wrote a blog post about it with a video of the painting my husband made at age 11, which turned out to be where inspiration was born! Learn why the necklace is named Baby Eating a Rat, even though it is only crawling on her face. Watch it HERE. Process: Hand-carved original, cast using the lost-wax method, finished and oxidized by hand in NYC Made to Order: Please allow 2 weeks for creation Finish: Oxidized (darkened recesses for contrast and dimensional depth) Symbolism & Meaning I didn't realize it when I was making it, but I was definitely inspired by Salvador Dali's painting "Bulgarian Child Eating a Rat". I have a history with this painting, as a replica of it painted by my husband at age 11 hangs on my wall. This necklace doesn't show the baby eating a rat, but crawling on her face. I chose to name the necklace "Baby Eating a Rat" as a direct nod to Dali's piece. Cherubs have appeared in religious art, mythology, and folklore for centuries, representing innocence, protection, and the divine. But they've also been reinterpreted as symbols of duality: purity and corruption, childhood and mortality, the sacred and the strange. This piece holds that contradiction. It's tender and unsettling. Beautiful and a little wrong. It's for the person who understands that nothing is ever just one thing. Q: What may a child symbolize in jewelry? A: Children traditionally represent innocence, divine protection, and purity. In contemporary jewelry, they've been reinterpreted to hold duality: the tension between innocence and experience, beauty and unease, the sacred and the strange. This piece is for people who appreciate that complexity. Q: Can I wear this every day? A: Absolutely. It's designed for daily wear. The metal is durable, and the oxidized finish develops a natural patina over time that adds to its character. Q: What kind of person would love this necklace? A: This is for people who see beauty in the eerie and sentimental. If you're drawn to baroque art, gothic aesthetics, vintage oddities, or things that feel slightly haunted in the best way, this piece will feel like it was made for you. Q: How is this different from mass-produced jewelry? A: Every piece is hand-carved and cast using traditional lost-wax metalsmithing in NYC by Karen Yost. You can see the texture, the slight irregularities, the evidence of human hands. It has weight, presence, and a story behind it. Q: Will the oxidized finish wear off? A: The oxidized finish is permanent in the recessed areas, which is what gives the piece its depth and detail. Over time, the high points may naturally polish from wear, which only adds to the vintage, lived-in look. This necklace speaks to gothic jewelry lovers, baroque and Renaissance art enthusiasts, and collectors of unusual, symbolic objects. It's ideal for people who appreciate dark romanticism and anyone building a curated, personal jewelry collection that reflects their inner world rather than following trends. Symbolism & Meaning: Children have appeared in religious art, mythology, folklore, and jewelry for centuries, representing innocence, protection, and the divine. But they've also been reinterpreted as symbols of duality such as purity and corruption, childhood and mortality, the sacred and the strange. This piece holds that contradiction. It's tender and unsettling. Beautiful and a little wrong. It's for the person who understands that nothing is ever just one thing. Care Instructions Brass and white brass naturally tarnishes over time. To maintain the oxidized finish, gently wipe with a soft jewelry cloth. Avoid harsh polishing, which will remove the intentional darkening in the details. Store in a dry place when not wearing. For a deeper clean, use warm water and mild soap, then pat dry.