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
1926-43-4-380
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Tile Wall Facing**, dating to around 1725, showcases early 18th-century craftsmanship in glazed ceramic tiles. Likely designed for interior architectural use—such as a fireplace surround or chimney piece—these tiles reflect the colonial era's blend of functionality and ornamentation. Produced during a time when imported European tiles were prized status symbols in American homes, this piece highlights the growing sophistication of domestic design in the New World. Though the artist remains unknown, the work's presence in the Smithsonian American Art Museum underscores its val...
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...