Box with seals
early 19th century
Medium
Decorative Arts
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. William P. Treadwell
Accession Number
1916-33-79-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Smithsonian American Art Museum's showcase of early American decorative arts. Our featured piece, *Box with Seals*, dates to the early 19th century and hails from the Smithsonian Collection. Donated as a gift from Mrs. William P. Treadwell, this charming object falls under the classification of Decorative Arts, highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship of the era. While research into its full provenance continues, the box's title suggests it once housed a collection of seals—likely wax seals used for authenticating letters and documents, a staple of genteel correspondence. In th...
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...