Panel
ca. 1725
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1941-76-1-o
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tile panel, dating to around 1725, exemplifies the decorative arts of the early 18th century. Crafted from ceramic tiles, it likely served as a wall or fireplace surround in a colonial American home, where such panels added both beauty and practicality—resisting heat and soot while brightening interiors. Though the artist remains unknown, the medium reflects the era's reliance on imported European techniques, possibly Dutch or English Delft-style tin-glazed earthenware, which was prized for its vibrant colors and intricate designs. The panel's presence in the Smithsonian Americ...
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...