foot warmer
1759
Medium
woodwork
Classification
woodwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1920-26-2
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the cozy world of 18th-century American domestic life with this intriguing *Foot Warmer* from 1759. Crafted during the colonial era, just before the American Revolution, these practical wooden devices were essential household items in homes lacking central heating. Placed at the feet of seated individuals—often during church services, travel by carriage, or chilly evenings—they held heated bricks, stones, or charcoal embers inside a perforated box to provide gentle warmth without risk of burns. Made of woodwork, this piece highlights the skilled craftsmanship of anonymous colonial a...
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...