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
1926-43-4-466
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Tile Wall Facing*, dating to around 1725, exemplifies 18th-century decorative through its medium of meticulously tiles. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Collection, this piece reflects the era's blend of functionality and ornamentation, where tiles often adorned fireplaces, walls, or architectural features in homes. Though the artist remains unknown and research is ongoing, its highlights the craftsmanship of the colonial period, when imported European influenced American design. Tiles like these were typically glazed earthenware, fired to create durable, vibran...
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...