Church
mid-19th century
Classification
containers
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1916-19-83-a,b
About this artwork
Birdcage (a) of wooden slats, dowels and metal wire in the form of a church with peaked roof; walls of clerestory-like gothic style arches; at one end a rectangular bell tower with three large, circular, painted clock faces, and door with inverted heart-shape perforation. Wood and sheet metal under tray (b) pulls out at left side. Small loop handle of brass on roof.
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...