Lock
19th century
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of P. Jamarin
Accession Number
1907-2-13-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection metalwork, *Lock* is a captivating 19th-century artifact creator remains unknown. Donated as a gift from P. Jamarin, piece exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of everyday objects from America's industrial age. While research into its precise origins and techniques is ongoing, its classification as metalwork highlights the era's fusion of utility and artistry, when locksmiths transformed simple security devices into finely wrought expressions of skill. In the 19th century locks were more than mere mechanisms—they symbolized ingenu...
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...