Tobacco box
ca. 1848
Medium
metalwork
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William M. Cahn, Jr. in memory of Rosalie S. and William M. Cahn
Accession Number
1981-49-15
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant tobacco box, crafted around 1848 by an American metalworker, offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of mid-19-century life. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum'swork collection, it reflects the period's blend of functionality and subtle decoration, when tobacco accessories were essential household items for pipe smokers across social classes. The precise medium and techniques await further research, but such boxes were typically fashioned from hammered or cast metals like tin, pewter, or brass, showcasing skilled craftsmanship in an era of expanding American industr...
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...