Design for an Embroidered or Woven Horizontal Border
1805–1815
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1914-21-63
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 (1805–1815) and captures the artistry of America's Federal period. Created by an unknown artist, it served as a blueprint for textile—likely intended for embroidered samplers, woven fabrics, or furnishings like table linens and bedcovers. During this era, such designs reflected the neoclassical influence of symmetry and natural motifs, blending European elegance with emerging American domestic creativity. Home-based crafts were a vital outlet for women's ingenuity, turning everyday obj...
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...