Design for an Embroidered or Woven Border
1815â1840
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1909-13-42
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate drawing, titled *Design for an Embro or Woven Border*, to the early 19th century (5–1840) and captures the artistry of anonymous American designers during a time of expanding textile traditions. Created as a preparatory sketch, it served as a blueprint for decorative borders on fabrics—likely for garments, household linens, or furnishings. Such designs were essential in domestic needlework, where women often adapted patterns from printed sources or original sketches to embellish everyday life with elegance. In the context of early American decorative arts, this work reflects the...
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...