No. 103
Classification
glasswares
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of Dale and Doug Anderson, Anonymous Donor, Arthur Liu, and Prairie Pictures, Inc. and from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund
Accession Number
2009-18-22
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Theophil Hansen's "No. 103," created in 1866, offers a glimpse into mid-nineteenth-century design through its classification as glassware in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Born in the Netherlands in 1813 and active until 1891, Hansen contributed to the era's artistic output during a period when glass objects often blended functionality with emerging industrial techniques. Though its exact medium remains under study, the piece stands as a numbered work that highlights the museum's dedication to preserving diverse examples of historical craftsmanship. Acquired through a combination of private gifts and the General Acquisitions Endowment Fund, this artwork reflects the collaborative efforts that build the Smithsonian's holdings. As part of ongoing research, it invites visitors to consider how such objects from the 1860s embody broader cultural interests in material innovation and decorative arts. Its presence in the collection encourages appreciation for the quiet stories embedded in everyday historical items.