Valise
1883â84
Medium
containers
Classification
containers
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener
Accession Number
1982-23-1139
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Valise** by George (1883–84) is a captivating example of late 19th-century decorative housed in the Smithsonian American Art. Classified simply as a "container," piece takes its name from the French word for a small suitcase or traveler's bag, suggesting a functional yet artistic object designed for portability. Crafted during the Gilded Age, it reflects the era's blend of practicality and ornamentation, when everyday items like luggage became canvases for creative expression. Though research on this work is ongoing, Unite's creation stands out in the Smithsonian Collection as a testament t...