Textile
19th century
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of W. and J. Sloane
Accession Number
1943-43-69-a
About this artwork
Alternating vertical bands with flowers and birds in polychrome. Narrow band has roosters, chickens and turkeys resting on clusters of flowers. Wider band has large baskets of flowers alternating with an exotic bird on a branch.
Art Historical Context
This vibrant 19th-century textile the Smithsonian American Art Museum captivates with its alternating vertical bands of polychrome motifs—flowers and birds rendered in vivid colors. A narrower band features roosters, chickens, and perched on clusters of blooms, evoking a lively barnyard scene, while the wider band displays grand baskets overflowing with flowers, interspersed with an exotic bird on a branch. These patterns suggest a celebration of nature's abundance, blending familiar farm animals with fantastical elements for a whimsical, decorative effect. Crafted through printing, dyeing, a...
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...