Design for a Three-Tiered Sweetmeat and Stand
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-333
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Joseph Anton Seethaler II’s “Design for a Three-Tiered Sweetmeat and Stand” captures the refined elegance of early nineteenth-century European tableware. Created between 1827 and 1835 by the German artist, this drawing offers a glimpse into the meticulous planning behind decorative objects meant to grace formal dining tables. Sweetmeat stands held candies, dried fruits, and confections during elaborate banquets, transforming everyday hospitality into a display of taste and craftsmanship. As a preparatory drawing now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the work highlights the import...