Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 65, The Whiteley Galleries

Miniature Jug

1688-1689 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This miniature jug is a toy. The term toy included any knick-knack or fashionable trinket for adults, as well as a child’s plaything. Silver toys like this one copied the exact details and proportions of normal sized pieces and came in a variety of subjects and sizes, ranging from domestic utensils to elaborate furniture.

There are several explanations for them. They might have been intended to furnish dolls’ houses. They might have been miniature trade samples. They might have been practice pieces for apprentices. They might have been fashionable novelties for adults to collect or they might simply have been playthings for rich children. In 1571, the daughter of Henry II of France ordered a set of small silver ‘pots, bowls, plates and other articles’ to give to a royal child.

The high point of production in London was the period 1700-1750. Because they were light and small, silver toys are not fully hallmarked. The form of the maker’s or retailer’s mark helps to date them.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, engraved
Brief description
Silver, mark of George Manjoy, London hallmarks for 1688-9
Physical description
Silver, round body engraved with chinoiserie bird and foliage, ribbed neck and scroll handle.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.43cm
  • Length: 2.86cm
  • Width: 5.1cm
  • Weight: 13.7g
Marks and inscriptions
  • Mark of GM in a shaped shield for George Manjoy
  • London hallmarks for 1688-9
Gallery label
MUG No hallmarks (London) about 1688-9 Mark of George Manjoy Chased with chinoiserie decoration Arthur Hurst Bequest M.176-1940(26/11/1996)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Arthur Hurst
Object history
Bequest - Arthur Hurst

Acquisition RF: 40 / 434
Subjects depicted
Summary
This miniature jug is a toy. The term toy included any knick-knack or fashionable trinket for adults, as well as a child’s plaything. Silver toys like this one copied the exact details and proportions of normal sized pieces and came in a variety of subjects and sizes, ranging from domestic utensils to elaborate furniture.

There are several explanations for them. They might have been intended to furnish dolls’ houses. They might have been miniature trade samples. They might have been practice pieces for apprentices. They might have been fashionable novelties for adults to collect or they might simply have been playthings for rich children. In 1571, the daughter of Henry II of France ordered a set of small silver ‘pots, bowls, plates and other articles’ to give to a royal child.

The high point of production in London was the period 1700-1750. Because they were light and small, silver toys are not fully hallmarked. The form of the maker’s or retailer’s mark helps to date them.
Collection
Accession number
M.176-1940

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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