Pillow cover
19th century
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase from Au Panier Fleuri Fund
Accession Number
1956-86-1
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This 19th-century cover, housed in the Smithsonian American Art's collection, offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of American domestic life. Acquired through the museum's Au Panier Fleuri Fund, it exemplifies the textiles that adorned homes during an era of rapid industrialization and expanding consumer culture. As a functional yet decorative object, such pillow covers transformed ordinary bedding into personalized expressions of style and comfort. Crafted using printed, dyed, and painted techniques, the highlights the sophisticated methods employed by textile artisans of the time. Pr...
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...