Quillwork Sconce
Unknown Artist
1825–50
Medium
Paper, mica, wire
Dimensions
17 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (45.4 x 21.9 cm)
Classification
Sconce
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, 1950
Accession Number
50.145.363
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Wing, this *Quillwork Sconce* (1825–50) is a delicate wall-mounted light fixture, measuring 17⅞ x 8⅝ inches, crafted by an unknown artist. Fashioned from paper, shimmering mica sheets, and sturdy wire, it exemplifies early 19th-century American arts. The floral motifs hinted at in its design evoke the natural beauty prized in period craftsmanship, transforming a functional sconce into an elegant ornament homes or public spaces. Quillwork, a technique likely involving dyed porcupine quills meticulously wrapped or embroidered onto a supportive base, w...