Knife
ca. 1670
Medium
cutlery
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-66
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step back to the late 17th century with this humble yet evocative *Knife*, crafted around 1670. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the Smithsonian Collection, this piece from the Robert L. Metzenberg Collection—generously gifted by Eleanor L. Metzenberg—offers a tangible glimpse into early American daily life. In an era when European settlers were establishing colonies amid rugged frontiers, everyday tools like this cutlery were essential for survival, serving as eating utensils, tools, and even makeshift weapons. Classified simply as cutlery, the knife exemplifies the p...
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...