Design for an Earring
1825â50
Medium
jewelry
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-748
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Design for an Earring from 1825–50 offers a glimpse into the artistry of early American jewelry making, a craft that blended functionality with emerging fashion sensibilities. Created during the mid-19th century—a period of rapid industrialization and romantic stylistic influences in the United States—this piece likely served as a preparatory sketch or model for a wearable adornment. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, it reflects how designers envisioned personal ornaments that could elevate everyday elegance or mark special occasions. As a work in the ...
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...