Watch chain and stud
mid-19th century
Medium
jewelry
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Gustav E. Kissel
Accession Number
1928-5-44-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection *Watch Chain and Stud* is a mid-19th-century piece, gifted by Mrs. Gustav E. Kiss. Crafted during the Victorian era, this accessory exemplifies the era's fascination with personal adornments that blended functionality with subtle luxury. Watch chains, often worn across the vest to secure pocket watches, were essential for gentlemen of means, reflecting the technological shift toward portable timepieces amid rapid industrialization. Though the artist remains unknown and research is ongoing, the piece highlights jewelry's role as both ...
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...