Lock Box
Medium
Decorative Arts
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given in memory of Eliphalet Fraser Andrews
Accession Number
1916.6.13
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Decor Arts collection, *Lock Box* is a example of German craftsmanship from an unidentified maker. Dating to an undetermined period (n.d this piece exemplifies the fusion of utility and artistry typical in decorative arts, where everyday objects like secure storage boxes were elevated through skilled design and ornamentation. Lock boxes, historically used to safeguard valuables such as documents, jewelry, or coins, reflect the era's emphasis on both security and aesthetic appeal in household items. Though specifics about its creation remain elu...
About the Artist
Unidentified (German)
**German, Franconia (active ca. 1485–1500)** was an anonymous artist from the Franconian region of northern Bavaria, Germany, renowned for his contributions to late Gothic graphic arts. Little is known of his early life or training, as details about many anonymous masters from this era remain undocumented. Franconia, with its vibrant artistic centers like Nuremberg, fostered a rich tradition of re...