Design for a Necklace
mid- 18th century
Medium
jewelry
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
1938-88-910
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Design for a Neckl* from the mid-18th century offers a glimpse into the refined world of colonial American jewelry craftsmanship. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—acquired through museum purchase with gifts from various donors and the Eleanor G. Hewitt—this artwork captures the aspirations of an unknown designer during a period when European influences like Rococo elegance were blending with emerging American tastes. As a preparatory sketch classified under jewelry, it likely served as a blueprint for silversmiths or jewelers, highlighting the meticulous...
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...