Miniature Chairs
1750-1830 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This miniature chair 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 why they were made. They may have been intended to furnish dolls’ houses, or simply as fashionable novelties for adults. These examples do not have silver marks. They may have been made in the Netherlands, which was an important centre for silver toys of all kinds in the 18th and 19th centuries.
There are several explanations for why they were made. They may have been intended to furnish dolls’ houses, or simply as fashionable novelties for adults. These examples do not have silver marks. They may have been made in the Netherlands, which was an important centre for silver toys of all kinds in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver and silver filigree |
| Brief description | Pair of miniature silver ladder back chairs with silver filigree seats, possibly the Netherlands, 1750-1830. |
| Physical description | Pair of miniature chairs with seats of open filigree. There are three decorative bars forming the back, and two stretchers between each pair of legs. |
| Credit line | Bequest of Miss Phoebe Marks |
| Summary | This miniature chair 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 why they were made. They may have been intended to furnish dolls’ houses, or simply as fashionable novelties for adults. These examples do not have silver marks. They may have been made in the Netherlands, which was an important centre for silver toys of all kinds in the 18th and 19th centuries. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.117&A-1941 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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