Traveling Knife
midâlate 18th century
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-274
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Traveling Knife Step into the 18th century with the enigmatic *Traveling Knife*, a piece of cutlery from the mid- to late 1700s, now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum Classified simply as cutlery, this artifact hints at the practical ingenuity of everyday life during an era of expanding exploration and trade. With its artist and medium unknown, it embodies the functional artistry of colonial or early American craftsmanship, where utensils doubled as personal necessities for those on the move—merchants, settlers, or adventurers traversing vast distances without reliable dining ...
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...