Case from Traveling Cutlery Set
18th century or 19th century
Medium
cutlery
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-137-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant **Case from Traveling Cutlery Set**, to the 18th or 19th century, hails from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, generously gifted by Eleanor L. Metzenberg the Robert L. Metberg Collection. As a portable container for personal eating utensils—knives, forks, and spoons—it exemplifies the practical artistry of everyday objects from America's formative centuries. Crafted for travelers, such cases highlight the ingenuity of period craftsmanship, likely featuring fitted compartments, durable materials, and refined detailing to protect fragile silver or steel tools during ...
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...