stick pin

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This elegant stick pin, dating to around 1867, exemplifies-19th-century American jewelry craftsmanship. As a fashionable accessory for gentlemen's attire—often securing cravats or ascots—stick pins were both functional and decorative, reflecting the Victorian era's love ornate personal adornments. Though the artist and exact medium remain unidentified amid ongoing research, its presence in the Smithsonian American Museum highlights its place in everyday luxury during the post-Civil War years. The piece hails from the renowned Thomas W. Evans Collection amassed by the American dentist served European royalty and amassed a treasure trove of art and artifacts. Donated to the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and later gifted to the Smithsonian, it bridges personal style with broader cultural exchange. Evans's eclectic tastes underscore how such items traveled across social spheres, embodying transatlantic influences in American design. While details are still emerging through scholarly investigation, this stick pin invites us to ponder the intimate artistry of bygone fashion—tiny jewels that pinned together eras. Visitors, imagine it gleaming on a lapel amid Gilded Age bustle!

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...