Miniature Teapot
1765-1766 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This miniature teapot 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. A little girl might have used this miniature teapot to play at being a lady.
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. A little girl might have used this miniature teapot to play at being a lady.
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 |
| Brief description | Silver, London hallmarks for 1765-6, mark of John Delmestre |
| Physical description | Pear shaped body, straight spout, scroll handle covered with wicker; flat lid with ball top |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | TEAPOT
London, 1765-6
Mark of John Delmestre
Lady Henriques Bequest
M.80-1953 |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Lady Henriques |
| Object history | Bequest - Lady Henriques, Acquisition RF: 53 / 986 A |
| Summary | This miniature teapot 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. A little girl might have used this miniature teapot to play at being a lady. 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.80-1953 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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