Silver Sugar Bowl and Tongs

Art Historical Context

**Silver Sugar Bowl and T** *Margaret Stottlemeyer, c. 1936* Watercolor and graphite on paper, 19.7 × 29.3 cm *Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art* around 1936, Margaret Stottlemeyer's *Silver Sugar Bowl and T* is a meticulous watercolor and graphite rendering from the Index of American Design, a landmark WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942). This initiative employed artists across America to document the nation's folk art, crafts, and design traditions amid the Great Depression, preserving heritage through over 18,000 detailed plates like this one. Stottlemeyer's precise technique captures the gleaming silverware's elegant curves, reflective surfaces, and intricate details—hallmarks of American craftsmanship, possibly from the 18th or 19th century. Watercolor evokes the metal's luster and subtle patina, while graphite adds sharp outlines and textures, blending artistic skill with documentary accuracy. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it highlights everyday objects as emblems of refined domestic life. This work invites us to appreciate how such humble items embodied American ingenuity and taste, bridging historical artistry with modern preservation efforts. A charming window into our design legacy! (178 words)

About the Artist

Margaret Stottlemeyer · 1859–1948

Margaret Stottlemeyer is an artist whose biographical details — including her dates, nationality, and training — have not been fully established in the scholarly literature. Her name appears in museum records, suggesting that her work entered institutional collections, but the circumstances of her life and career remain poorly documented. The precise nature of her practice and the media she favor...