ca. 1870
Medium
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. William P. Treadwell
Accession Number
1916-33-165
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the intimate world of 19th American domestic life with *Pocket*, a delicate artifact from around 1870 now housed in the Smithsonian American Museum. Crafted by an unknown artist, this textile accessory—likely a detachable pocket worn under skirts by women—was both practical and personal, serving as a secure pouch for essentials like keys, handkerchiefs, or money before modern sewn-in pockets became widespread. The medium of printed, dyed, and textiles highlights the era's blend of artisanal skill and emerging industrial techniques. Vibrant patterns achieved through block printing, r...
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...