America
ca. 1750
Medium
metalwork
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the Estate of James Hazen Hyde
Accession Number
1960-1-91
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the colonial era with *America*, a captivating metalwork piece from around 1750, now housed in the Smithsonian American Museum. Crafted by an unknown artist during a time when the American colonies were blossoming under British rule, this object exemplifies the skilled metalworking traditions that defined everyday life and emerging national pride. The title itself evokes the spirit of a young land on the cusp of transformation, just decades before the Revolutionary War. Metalwork in mid-18th-century America both practical and artistic, often involving techniques like casting, chasin...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...