Dessert Knife with Green-Stained Ivory Handle
late 18th century
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Francis B. Lothrop
Accession Number
1959-56-1-c
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant dessert knife, featuring a green-stained ivory handle, hails from the late 18th century time when finely crafted cutlery symbolized refined taste and social status in affluent American and European households. As part of the Smithsonian American Museum's collection, gifted by Francis B. Lothrop, it exemplifies the arts of the Federal period, when neoclassical influences inspired intricate designs for everyday luxury items like tableware. Dessert knives were essential for formal dining, marking the era's growing emphasis on multi-course meals and polished etiquette. The standout f...
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...