Floral field and border
1780â1815
Medium
textile designs
Classification
textile designs
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-93-385
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
"**Floral Field and Border** (1780–1815) is a captivating example of early American textile design from the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. Created by an unknown artist during the Federal period—a time of national optimism following the Revolutionary War—this piece features repeating floral motifs arranged in a central field framed by a decorative border. As printed or block-printed patterns intended for fabrics, such designs were essential for household linens, clothing, and upholstery, reflecting the growing domestic textile industry in the young United States. These textiles hi...
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...