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
1926-43-4-519
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Tile Wall Facing*, dating to circa 1725, offers a glimpse into early th-century decorative arts through its medium of ceramic tiles. Crafted during the height of the Colonial period in America, such wall facings were prized for their durability and ornamental appeal, often adorning fireplaces, chimneys, or interior walls in affluent homes. The unknown artist's work highlights the skilled tile-making traditions of the era, likely involving hand-pressed clay molded into pictorial or geometric designs, then glazed and fired for vibrant, long-lasting color. Though research into th...
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...