Miniature Coffee Pot
ca. 1720 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This miniature coffee pot 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.
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 | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Silver, London ca.1720, mark of David Clayton |
| Physical description | Silver, tapering with straight spout set at right angles to the handle of turned wood. Domed lid with knop (detachable). |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Mark of DC for David Clayton |
| Gallery label | COFFEE POT
London, around 1720
Mark of David Clayton
Denton Welch Bequest
M.48:1-2,-1949 |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Denton Welch |
| Object history | Bequest - Denton Welch Acquisition RF: 49 / 263 |
| Summary | This miniature coffee pot 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | Houart, V., Miniature Silver Toys, 1981. pp. 174, Pl. 213
Poliakoff, M., Silver Toys and Miniatures V&A pp.15, Pl. 24
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.48:1, 2-1949 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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