Ornament, Christmas tree
1850–99
Medium
ornament
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mary M. Kenway from the estate of Sarah B. Russell
Accession Number
1956-32-43
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delightful Christmas tree ornament, dating from 1850 to 1899, offers a glimpse into the burgeoning holiday traditions of Victorian-era America. During this period, Christmas trees—introduced by German immigrants in the early 19th century and popularized through illustrations of Queen Victoria's celebrations—became a cherished symbol of domestic festivity in middle-class homes. Ornaments like this one, often handmade or early mass-produced in glass, tin, or wax, transformed evergreens into sparkling centerpieces, blending European customs with American ingenuity. oused in the Smithsonian ...
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...