Miniature posset cup with cover 1691 - 1692

This miniature posset cup with cover was made by George Manjoy, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century, from silver. The cup shows us how highly skilled silversmiths manipulated precious materials in this period. Note the overall form, achieved by carefully hammering the metal into shape. But also the delicate chasing of the fruit motifs, and the cast handles – tiny sculptures in their own right. The final touch? A bright, polished surface. Of course, this level of refinement came at a price. Silver was expensive, and the labour even more so. This wasn't an object for everyday use, but a display of wealth. Though small, this cup speaks volumes about the hierarchies of its time, where even a sip of posset – a hot, milky drink – could be a status symbol. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, how many hours of work are wrapped up in this tiny treasure.