cribbage board
ca. 1880–1900
Medium
toys & games
Classification
toys & games
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1990-153-3
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the leisurely world of late 19th-century Americanimes with this cribbage board, dating from around 1880–1900. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection classified under toys & games, this unassuming artifact captures the essence of Victorian-era recreation. Cribbage, a beloved card game invented in the 17th century, used such boards to track scores with pegs, making it a staple in parlors, taverns, and family gatherings across the United States. Crafted during a time when board games symbolized social bonding and simple pleasures amid rapid industrialization, this p...
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...