Plate 4, from Diverses pièces de serruriers (Various Designs for Locksmiths)
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-486-5
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the ornate world of 17th-century French design with *Plate 4, from Diverses pièces de serruriers (Various Designs for Locksmiths)* by Hugues Brisville, a French artist active around 1663. Created after 1662, this work is a meticulously crafted plate from a series intended for locksmiths, showcasing intricate ornamental patterns likely destined for metalwork such as locks, hinges, and decorative iron fittings. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—purchased by the Advisory Council—it exemplifies the fusion of functionality and artistry in the decorative arts. I...