Miniature chaise (part of a set)
Unknown Artist
1675–1700
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
1 7/8 × 3 1/2 × 1 3/8 in. (4.8 × 8.9 × 3.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
Southern German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Morris Fatman, in the name of her late husband, 1931
Accession Number
31.37.2
Art Historical Context
This exquisite miniature chaise, crafted in silver by an unknown Southern German artisan between 1675 and 1700, captures the opulence of the late Baroque era in miniature form. Measuring just 1 7/8 × 3 1/2 × 1 3/8 inches, it forms part of a lavish set likely designed for a dollhouse or collector's cabinet of curiosities—popular among Europe's nobility as symbols of wealth and ingenuity. The intricate silverwork showcases the period's mastery of metal techniques, such as chasing and engraving, which allowed for delicate detailing on such a tiny scale. In Southern Germany, a hub of fine metalwo...