Miniature chair (one of four) (part of a set) 1690 - 1691

This miniature chair was created by George Manjoy, probably in the late 17th or early 18th century. One of a set of four, it's made of silver – not a typical material for furniture, even at this small scale. The chair's form and decoration look back to the Renaissance, a style that was already old-fashioned when it was made. We can imagine the maker carefully cutting, filing, soldering and engraving the precious metal. This would have been painstaking work, demanding great skill and time. The chair's small size and the preciousness of the material speak to a culture of collecting, and the desire to possess miniature versions of grand objects. The chair’s original context would have likely been a ‘cabinet of curiosities’, a collection that included both natural specimens and human-made objects. Though small, the chair is full of details, like the woven seat and ornate carving. It is a virtuoso display of craftsmanship and a potent emblem of wealth and status.