Letter case
1753
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Henry J. Bernheim
Accession Number
1947-47-6
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of 18th America with this intriguing *Letter Case* from 1753, housed in the Smithsonian American Art's collection of costume and accessories. Crafted during the colonial era, when transatlantic correspondence was a lifeline for families, merchants, and officials, this modest yet elegant accessory served as a portable guardian for personal letters. In an age before modern envelopes or reliable postal systems, such cases were essential for travelers and letter-writers, protecting precious missives from the elements while signaling the owner's social standing. Though ...
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...