Design for an Embroidered or Woven Horizontal Border
1815-1840
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1909-13-64
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate drawing, titled *Design for an Embro or Woven Horizontal Border dates to the early 19th century (5-1840) and captures the elegance of American textile design during a transformative era. Created by an unknown artist, it as a blueprint for decorative borders—repeating motifs likely intended for fabrics like table linens, curtains, or garments. This period saw a blossoming of domestic arts in the United States, influenced by neoclassical tastes and the growing availability of imported patterns from Europe, as Americans crafted their own versions amid expanding textile manufacturing...
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...