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
1926-43-4-287
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-century ceramic artistry from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Crafted from tiles—an enduring medium prized for its durability and decorative potential—these pieces likely adorned the interior walls of a grand colonial home or public space. At a time when tilework was a luxury import, often from European centers like England or the Netherlands, such installations symbolized wealth and sophistication in the American colonies. Though the artist remains unknown and research is ongoin...
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...