Letter case
late 17th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Sarah Cooper Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-43-15
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Late 17th-Century Letter Case Step back to the late 1600s with this intriguing *Letter Case*, a personal accessory from an era when handwritten correspondence was the lifeline of personal and business connections. Classified in the Smithsonian American Art Museum Costume & Accessories collection, it likely served as a portable holder for letters, folding neatly into a pocket or reticule. Such items were essential for travelers, merchants, and letter-writing enthusiasts during the Baroque period, reflecting the growing importance of private communication in colonial America and Europe. Though the artist and medium remain unidentified— with research ongoing—this piece highlights everyday elegance in 17th-century life. Donated by Sarah Cooper Hewitt, a noted collector of decorative arts, it joins treasures that illuminate historical fashion and craftsmanship. Imagine slipping important missives into its compartments, safeguarding secrets or news across oceans. Its presence in the Smithsonian invites us to ponder the intimate rituals of the past, where even utilitarian objects carried stories. Ongoing studies promise to reveal more about its creation and cultural role. (178 words)
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...