Miniature monteith 1690 - 1691

This miniature monteith was crafted in the late 17th or early 18th century by George Manjoy. Reflecting on this tiny bowl, it's easy to imagine the elaborate rituals and hierarchies of elite social life in the 1700s. Monteiths, with their notched rims for holding stemmed glasses, were symbols of wealth and refinement. This miniature version speaks to a culture obsessed with replicating status symbols, even in miniature. Manjoy, as a silversmith, played a key role in shaping these cultural values. His work catered to the desires of the upper class, reinforcing their dominance. Yet, there's a certain irony in the creation of such a small object meant to represent grandeur. Consider the labor involved in crafting this piece, likely by artisans whose own lives were far removed from the luxury it represents. The monteith, in its own way, becomes a vessel for the complex social dynamics of its time.