Set of twelve miniature meat plates 1715 - 1735

These twelve miniature meat plates were crafted in the late 17th or early 18th century, likely in England by David Clayton. Their small size begs the question of their purpose; were they toys, precious miniature versions of the larger, everyday objects belonging to wealthy families? Miniatures offer a glimpse into the lives of elites, reflecting their dining habits and social rituals on a smaller scale. The plates evoke questions about labor, class, and consumption during a time of growing colonialism and trade. The shine of the silver hints at the wealth accumulated through these ventures. Consider the hands that made and used these plates. Whose labor produced the silver and fashioned them? Who might have played with them, perhaps acting out adult social rituals and internalizing a world of privilege? These objects speak volumes about the lives of those who possessed them, and perhaps even more about those whose labor afforded such luxury.