Balance cock / coque de montre
18th century
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1925-2-168
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection decorative arts, *Balance cock / coque montre* is a mysterious 18th-century artifact full story is still unfolding through ongoing research. The bilingual title hints at its origins in the intricate world of horology—French for "watch case" or more precisely, the "balance cock," a protective over a watch's oscillating balance wheel. Donated by collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, for their contributions to design history, this piece exemplifies the's fusion of function and ornamentation. In the 18th century, decorative arts flourishe...
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...