Earrings
late 19th century
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Frances Morris
Accession Number
1951-111-88-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the intriguing world of late 19th-century adornment with *Earrings*, a delicate piece from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Dating to the Victorian era's final decades, this jewelry exemplifies the era's fascination with personal ornamentation, when earrings evolved from simple studs to elaborate statements of style and status. Classified simply as jewelry, it reflects the craftsmanship of a time when America's growing industrial might met enduring artisanal traditions, producing accessories that graced necks and ears at social gatherings and everyday elegance. Thou...
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...