Wall facing
ca. 1725
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1926-43-5-245
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold the enigmatic *Wall Facing*, a captivating assemblage of tiles dating to circa 1725, now gracing the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Classified simply as "tiles," this artwork—its precise medium still under study—serves as a wall facing, likely designed to adorn interiors with decorative flair. Donated as a gift from the legendary collector William Randolph Hearst, whose vast trove of antiquities enriched American museums, it whispers of early 18th-century craftsmanship amid ongoing research into its origins. In the colonial era, tile wall facings were prized for their durability and ...
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...