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
1926-43-4-543
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Tile Wall Facing*, dating to around 1725, is a captivating example of early 18th ceramic artistry preserved in the Smithsonian American Art's collection. Crafted from durable tiles, this wall panel likely served as a decorative or protective facing in a colonial home—perhaps adorning a fireplace, hearth, or interior wall. Its anonymous creation reflects the skilled, often unnamed artisans of the period, whose work blended functionality with subtle ornamentation. Historically, tiles like this one were prized in the American colonies for their practicality and aesthetic appeal, ...
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...