Tile wall facing
ca. 1725
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1926-43-4-140
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Tile Wall Facing*, dating to around 1725, exemplifies early 18th-century decorative from the American colonies. Crafted in ceramic, it likely served as a fireplace surround or wall panel in a prosperous household, a common feature in colonial homes where such installations added both beauty and functionality. Though the artist remains unknown, the work reflects the era's reliance on imported European tile-making techniques, blending practicality with ornamentation to elevate everyday spaces. Gifted to the Smithsonian American Art Museum by media magnate and avid collector Will...
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...