Design for a Monstrance
mid- 18th century
Medium
metalwork
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-1015
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Design for a Monstr* from the mid-18th century a glimpse into the skilled world of colonial American metalwork, a craft essential to religious life in early America. Crafted anonymously, this preparatory drawing or blueprint outlines a vessel used in Catholic liturgy to display the consecrated Eucharist during adoration and processions. Monstrances, often ornate and symbolic, elevated the sacred host like a sunburst, blending spiritual reverence with masterful artistry. In the 1700s, metalworking in America drew from European traditions, particularly silversmithing techniques ...
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...