Design for a Cross Pendant
late 18th century
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-785
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Design for a Cross** from the late th century offers a glimpse into the artistry of early American jewelry making. As a preparatory sketch or blueprint, it captures the vision for a wearable symbol of faith, likely intended as a personal devotional item. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, acquired through generous donors and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund, piece reflects the craftsmanship of a time when jewelry often blended functionality with spiritual expression. In the late 1700s, amid America's post-Revolutionary fervor, cross pendants symbolized Christian piety and personal identity. Such designs would have guided silversmiths or jewelers in creating intricate pieces from metals like silver or gold, adorned with gems or engraving. Though the exact medium and artist remain under research, the work highlights the era's growing emphasis on refined, symbolic accessories that bridged European traditions with emerging American tastes. Today, this artifact invites us to ponder the anonymous designer's skill and the cultural role of jewelry in daily life. Ongoing research promises to uncover more about its creation, enriching our understanding of 18th-century design practices. (178 words)
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...