Wall facing
ca. 1725
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1926-43-6-a-147
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Wall Facing, ca. 1725** This intriguing "Wall Facing" is a meticulously crafted assemblage of tiles dating to around 1725, now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection. As a prime example of early 18th-century ceramic, these tiles likely served as a decorative wall, enhancing interiors with their durable, colorful surfaces. Tiles were prized during this period for both functionality and ornamentation, often adorning fireplaces, chimneys, room panels to protect against soot while adding visual elegance to homes. The medium of tiles highlights innovative techniq...
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...