Earrings
mid-19th century
Medium
jewelry
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Gustav E. Kissel
Accession Number
1928-5-35-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
These elegant mid-19th century earrings, crafted by an unknown artist, a glimpse into the refined world of Victorian-era adornment. Housed in the Smithsonian American Museum's Smithsonian Collection and generously gifted by Mrs. Gustav. Kissel, they exemplify the artistry of jewelry as wearable sculpture. Classified simply as jewelry, these pieces the period's emphasis on personal ornamentation, where even everyday accessories blended functionality with aesthetic appeal. In mid-19th century America jewelry flourished amid rapid industrialization and evolving social customs. Earrings like thes...
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...