commemorative
1876
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mary M. Kenway from the estate of Sarah B. Russell
Accession Number
1956-32-75
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This enigmatic "Commemorative" piece, dated 1876 and housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Decorative Arts collection, invites visitors to ponder the artistry of America's Gilded Age. Created by an unknown artist, it exemplifies the era's tradition of crafting objects that celebrated national milestones, blending functionality with symbolism. As a gift from Mary M. Kenway via the estate of Sarah B. Russell, it reflects the personal legacies intertwined with public history preserved by the Smithsonian. The year 1876 marked the United States' centennial, a time of exuberant patriotism...
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...