Pin
ca. 1890
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charlotte Y. Salisbury in loving memory of her husband, Harrison E. Salisbury
Accession Number
1994-122-2
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant pin, dating to around 1890, exemplifies the refined jewelry of late 19th-century America during the Gilded Age. a personal adornment, such pins—often worn as brooches—served both functional and decorative purposes, fastening collars, shawls, or dresses while showcasing craftsmanship and social status. Though the artist and medium remain unidentified amid ongoing research, its presence in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection highlights the era's blend of artistry and everyday elegance, when jewelry reflected industrial innovation and Victorian tastes. Donated as a hear...
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...