Center table
1825â30
Medium
furniture
Classification
furniture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane
Accession Number
1920-19-87
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection this elegant *Center Table* dates to 1825–30, a period when American furniture design blossomed amid the young nation's growing prosperity and taste for refined domestic interiors. Crafted during the transition from Federal to Greek Revival styles, such tables were prized centerpieces in parlors, often showcasing the owner's status through their graceful proportions and fine woodwork. Though the artist's identity remains unknown—befitting many anonymous artisan creations of the era—this piece exemplifies the skilled craftsmanship of e...
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...