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
1926-43-4-436
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of early 18th-century American with this captivating *Tile Wall Facing*, dating to around 1725. Crafted from meticulously glazed tiles, this architectural element likely adorned a prominent wall—perhaps a fireplace surround or entryway—in a colonial home. As a gift from media magnate and avid collector William Randolph Hearst it entered the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, highlighting the era's blend of functionality and ornamentation. Tiles like these were prized status symbols in colonial America, often imported from European centers such as England o...
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...