Miniature Tea Kettle
ca. 1753 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This miniature tea kettle and stand 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 tea kettle and stand 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 tea kettle and stand 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 | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver, embossed |
| Brief description | Miniature tea kettle and stand, Silver, Dublin, ca.1753 |
| Physical description | Pear shaped kettle embossed with flowers and rococo scrollwork. Tripod stand with floral swags, scroll legs with shell feet and central lamp (top wanting) |
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Dublin marks ca.1753 |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by Miss Mabel F. Boore. |
| Object history | Gift - Miss Mabel Boore, Petersfield. Acquisition RF: 39 / 3008 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This miniature tea kettle and stand 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 tea kettle and stand 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.82&A-1939 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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