Miniature fork 1685 - 1699

This miniature fork was crafted in the late 17th or early 18th century by the English silversmith, George Manjoy. It reflects a period where dining practices were increasingly formalized and individualized. Silverware, once a communal item, began to be seen as personal property, marking a shift in social etiquette and class distinction. This piece, with its diminutive size, hints at a culture of collecting and display, where luxury items signified status. The fork, a relatively new utensil at the time, symbolizes a move towards refined dining. Manjoy's work invites us to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. By studying inventories, domestic manuals, and other period documents, we can explore the social rituals and cultural values attached to the art of dining in this period. It reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific time, place, and set of social relations.