Letter case
late 18th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Marquis Val Verde de la Sierra
Accession Number
1923-51-14
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection costume and accessories, this late 18th-century *Letter Case* offers a glimpse into the personal world of Georgian-era gentlemen and ladies. Dating from the Enlightenment period, when epistolary culture flourished amid revolutions and expanding global trade, such cases were essential accessories for safeguarding private correspondence. Crafted as part of everyday attire, it likely served as a stylish étui—perhaps embroidered, leather-bound, or jeweled—to protect letters during travel or daily wear, reflecting the era's blend of practi...
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...