Coat
19th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Alan L. Wolfe
Accession Number
1961-115-42
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant 19th-century coat part of the Smithsonian American Museum's costume and accessories collection, offers a into everyday American life during a transformative era. Crafted by an unknown maker, it exemplifies the practical yet stylish garments worn by men and women amid rapid industrialization and social change. Coats like this were essential for protection against the elements, often reflecting regional climates, occupations, and emerging fashion trends from the early 1800s to the fin de siècle. As a prime example of costume and accessories—a classification that preserves textiles ...
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...