Lamp
ca. 1835
Classification
glasswares
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. W. Sterling Peters
Accession Number
1942-26-1-a/d
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant lamp, dating to around 1835, hails from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of glasswares, generously gifted by Mrs. W Sterling Peters. Crafted during a pivotal era in American material culture, it exemplifies the functional artistry of mid-19th-century household, when glass production was booming in the United States thanks to innovations in molding and blowing techniques. In the 1830s, before gas and electric lighting transformed homes, lamps like this one provided essential illumination, often fueled by whale oil or the emerging kerosene. Its glass construction highlights the era's emphasis on transparent, durable materials that allowed light to shine brightly while protecting delicate flames. Though the artist's identity and precise medium details await further research, such pieces reflect everyday American ingenuity and the democratization of decorative wares through industrial advancements. Today, this lamp offers a glimpse into antebellum domestic life, underscoring how ordinary objects carried artistic merit. Visitors can appreciate its role in illuminating the textures of history—both literally and figuratively—in the Smithsonian's rich holdings.
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...