Letter case
late 18th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Sarah Cooper Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-43-14
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the intimate world of 18th-century correspondence with this elegant letter case, a delicate accessory from the late 1700s housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories. Crafted during America's early post-Revolutionary years, such cases were essential for carrying personal letters, folded notes, and small documents—vital in an era when mail was a primary lifeline for news, romance, and business across vast distances. Though the artist's identity remains unknown and research continues, this piece exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of period ...
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...