Tile
late 18th–early 19th century
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1920-15-213
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This enigmatic tile, dating to the late 18 or early 19th, hails from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Crafted by an unknown artist it exemplifies the medium of ceramic tiles, which were prized during America's early republic for both practical and decorative purposes. Donated as a gift from Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—pioneering collectors whose legacy endures in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum—this piece invites us into a world of anonymous craftsmanship. In the historical context of the time, tiles like this one often adorned fireplaces, kitchens, and architectura...
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...