Bracelet and box
ca. 1840
Medium
jewelry
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane
Accession Number
1926-22-531-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection *Bracelet and Box* (ca. 1840) exemplifies the exquisite jewelry craftsmanship of mid-19th-century America Crafted by an unknown artist, this delicate piece—likely fashioned from precious metals and housed in its original box—reflects the era's growing fascination with personal adornments. During the 1840s, as the United States expanded industrially and socially, jewelry became a cherished symbol of sentiment, status, and style, often gifted among family or worn at social gatherings. The bracelet's survival alongside its box highlight...
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...