Pair of bowls
1662â1722
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Paul Manheim
Accession Number
1968-155-4-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant pair of ceramic bowls, to the late 17th or early 18th century (1662–1722), a glimpse into everyday artistry from America's Colonial era. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the Smithsonian Collection, these vessels were generously gifted by Paul Manheim Though the specific medium and artist remain unidentified— with ongoing research illuminating their story—they exemplify the humble yet essential role of ceramics in colonial households. Created during a time when European settlers adapted traditional pottery techniques to New World resources, such bowls likel...
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...