Keyhole escutcheon
ca. 1800
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1904-21-71
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of metal! This *Keyhole Escutcheon*, dating to around 1800, is a fine example of early 19th-century hardware design. Escutcheons were decorative plates surrounding keyholes on doors, cabinets, or furniture, blending functionality with subtle ornamentation. Crafted during America's Federal period—a time of neoclassical influences inspired by ancient Greece and Rome—this piece reflects the era's emphasis on refined domestic interiors, where even utilitarian objects showcased skilled metalworking. Though the artist and exact medium remain u...
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...