Miniature poker 1715 - 1735

This delicate silver poker, crafted by David Clayton in the late 17th or early 18th century, presents us with an object that transcends its utilitarian purpose. At its top, the finial resembles a small orb, a microcosm of the world, symbolizing completeness and unity. Observe how this simple shape echoes through time, much like the globus cruciger held by emperors and Christ figures, representing dominion and divine authority. Here, in miniature, the orb atop the poker suggests a more intimate, domestic dominion – perhaps the control of the hearth, the heart of the home. The elongated, tapering form of the poker itself, smooth and refined, echoes the scepters of antiquity, yet here, repurposed for the mundane task of tending a fire. The memory of power, however, lingers. We subconsciously recognize the form, linking it to images of authority and control. The cyclical progression is clear, a testament to how symbols resurface, evolve, and acquire new meanings across history.