Art

The National Museum of American History is not an art museum. But works of art fill its collections and testify to the vital place of art in everyday American life. The ceramics collections hold hundreds of examples of American and European art glass and pottery. Fashion sketches, illustrations, and prints are part of the costume collections. Donations from ethnic and cultural communities include many homemade religious ornaments, paintings, and figures. The Harry T Peters "America on Stone" collection alone comprises some 1,700 color prints of scenes from the 1800s. The National Quilt Collection is art on fabric. And the tools of artists and artisans are part of the Museum's collections, too, in the form of printing plates, woodblock tools, photographic equipment, and potters' stamps, kilns, and wheels.


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Back-Support Belt
- Description
- Day laborers found plenty of work in New Orleans in the weeks and months following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Mammoth quantities of trash removal from devastated homes and businesses, clean-up, and reconstruction offered the promise of gainful employment to anyone willing and able to undertake heavy labor. The possession of technical skills was less important than pure muscle power and persistence.
- Mexican immigrant Francisco Zu&ntild;eiga, wearing this heavy, tooled leather back-support belt, was waiting in a downtown gas station in December 2005 for drive-up labor needs when he was approached instead by a Smithsonian team looking for something to acknowledge this aspect of the human response to Katrina. Much has been made of the outpouring of volunteerism after the hurricane, but another form of service was the individual with an aching back willing to labor under very adverse conditions for the hope of a small wage.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Associated Date
- 2005
- user
- Zuniga, Francisco
- ID Number
- 2006.0018.01
- catalog number
- 2006.0018.01
- accession number
- 2006.0018
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Corset and Whalebone Scrimshaw Busk
- Description
- For much of the 19th century, ladies’ fashion required very small waists. The most common way to achieve this was to wear a tightly laced corset, which could be adjusted according to the specific dress it accompanied. Like this example, many corsets were handmade to fit an individual, although they were also available in shops.
- One of the most intimate pieces of scrimshaw a whaleman could produce was a bone or baleen busk, or corset stiffener. These were carved and given to a crewman’s loved one, who then inserted it into a matching sleeve on her corset as a unique memento of her beloved’s feelings.
- Each of these busks has a cityscape etched into one side. The other side of one has eight pictures, topped by a portrait of a beautiful young woman. The other has a plaintive love poem on the back.
- date made
- mid-1800s
- collected
- 1951-06-29
- fashion
- 19th century
- ID Number
- TR.388604
- catalog number
- TR*388604
- accession number
- 182022
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Der Apotecter
- Description
- Woodcut image of an apothecary in his shop, standing behind a counter grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, and conversing with two customers. The shelves in the background are stocked with boxes and jars for holding herbs and medicines.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0019
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- collector/donor number
- SAP 943
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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SPEC DIACUMIN
- Description
- This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. Its white baked enamel label is framed by a baroque–style blue and yellow cartouche. The label reads SPEC DIACUMIN in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. This jar would have contained species diacumin, or a powder made from cumin. The powder was used as an antihysteric and as a stomachic powder to improve appetite and digestion.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 17th-18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0335
- catalog number
- M-05484
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0335
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
ERYSIPELAT
- Description
- This dark green blown glass jar has a wide mouth to accommodate dried plant material. The label is applied with the cold paint method. Unlike the enamel labels, there is no baking involved. Therefore it is not unusual to find the label has been badly scratched and suffered severe paint losses.
- The decoration appears as an upside–down heart outlined in red with a stylized flower at the top. The label is marked in red and black with the alchemical symbol for powder and the text ERYSIPELAT. Eryspelas is a bacterial infection that results in skin lesions. The powder in this jar could have been used to treat the symptoms.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 17th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0345
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05494
- collector/donor number
- SAP 206
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0345
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
TMR SIMPL ORD
- Description
- This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a thin neck and a flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. Above the shield is a yellow crown. TMR is the abbreviation for Tinctura Martis, or tincture of iron. Tinctures of iron were commonly used as stimulants or tonics.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0370
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05519
- collector/donor number
- SAP 231
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0370
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Apothecary Jar, MAT PERLA KUM
- Description
- This blown, aqua-colored glass container is marked in alternating red and black paint MAT PERLA/KUM
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0448
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05597
- collector/donor number
- SAP 309
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0448
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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TROCIS ALANDALL
- Description
- This squat–shaped drug jar has a baluster-shaped body and a stepped flared foot. A yellow shield depicts a lion balanced on one hind leg, holding an orb with its two front paws. The shield is surrounded by an elaborate blue floral motif on a white glazed background with yellow rope bands at the neck and the rim of the foot.
- A yellow and blue striped escroll is inscribed in black TROCIS ALANDALL” Trochiscus Alandall, also known as Troches of Alhandal, were lozenges made from the citrullus colocynthis plant. Colocynthis lozenges would have been used as a cathartic.
- The jar was incorporated into the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Collection when it was purchased at auction in 1935 from the American Art Association Anderson Galleries in New York City.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1600
- Date made
- 1675 - 1699
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0504
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05716
- collector/donor number
- SAP 428
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0504
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Albarello
- Description
- This albarello is decorated with a heraldic ornament, painted in white, blue, yellow, green, and orange. A yellow bird with wings spread is in the center of a cartouche topped by a crown. The yellow oval is framed by a green wreath. The back side of the jar has a stylized blue vine and leaf pattern.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 16th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0545
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05757
- collector/donor number
- SAP 469
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0545
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Apothecary Tureen
- Description
- This tureen stands on a slender waist and a flared foot. The green scroll handles are applied at the center of the shoulder. The white banner is surrounded by colorful grotesque figures, with faces on the heads of birds and animals. The circular lid has a yellow domed finial flanked by two applied green scrolled handles. Both the bowl and lid have a white glazed background with pastel shades of green, yellow, brown and blue. Urdang dates this piece from the Italian city of Urbino to the17th century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 17th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0556
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05768
- collector/donor number
- SAP 556
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0556
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bolus Arme nica
- Description
- This urn–shaped drug jar has a grayish–white glaze, a straight neck, and a round, domed foot. A rectangular label is formed at the center of the jar by thin lines of brown, orange, and yellow, topped by four C–scrolls forming a blue cartouche with a yellow and orange center. The label creates a frame for the jars inscription. The outer frame is surrounded at its top and bottom by green and blue vines and swags of yellow beads.
- The inscription reads Bolus Arme nica. Correspondence in 1954 between Division of Medicine Associate Curator George Griffenhagen and George Urdang notes that the jars appear to be of Catalonian–Aragonese origin. The jar would have contained Bolus Armenica, or Armenian Bole. Bolus Armenus consisted of clay and aluminum silicate. It was used as an astringent, and as an absorbent to stop the flow of blood.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0565
- collector/donor number
- SAP 489
- catalog number
- M-05777
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0565
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ung. Petoral.
- Description
- This blue and white drug container is marked at the waist “Ung Petoral.” A white cartouche on the lower portion of the jar also reads “Ung. Pectoral.” Unguent Pectoral is an ointment used for ailments of the chest and lungs. Albarelli jars with wide mouths were used to store dry, bulky materials such as leaves and bark.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0607
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05819
- collector/donor number
- SAP 531
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0607
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
MUSCUS HELMINTOCH
- Description
- The interior of the medallion of this jar is marked, MUSCUS HELMINTOCH Muscus helminithocortos is a mixture of lichen, plants, and zoophytes meant to rid the patient of intestinal worms.
- This majolica drug jar has a wide mouth and a whitish gray glaze. The jar is decorated with a painted garland of blue and purple flowers with green leaves framing a yellow and black oval medallion. The bottom of the jar is marked HN.
- Pharmacy historian George Urdang attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century, based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials HN on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang Hagen Hein wrote that he believes the containers without and those marked FH were made in Florsheim in the Germanstate of Hesse.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1775 - 1799
- date made
- 1790-1810
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0809
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-06021
- collector/donor number
- SAP 733
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0809
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
AQ CINAMOM BUGL
- Description
- This blown and molded bottle has a label which reads AQ CINAMOM BUGL in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. It would have contained Aqua Cinnamomi Bugleweed, or cinnamon water with bugleweed. Bugleweed yields black dye, and has astringent and sedative qualities. Cinnamon water was used as a tonic for stomach ailments.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0292
- catalog number
- M-05441
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- collector/donor number
- SAP 150
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0292
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
OL SPICAE
- Description
- This blown and molded clear glass bottle has a baked enamel label marked OL SPICAE. Ol Spicae is also known as Spike lavender oil. Derived from the distillation of lavender flowers it was used in perfumes, as a cure for headaches, and in the elimination of lice.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0293
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05442
- collector/donor number
- SAP 151
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0293
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
CREM
- Description
- This blown and molded square-shaped jar has a wide neck and flared lip. The white baked enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. Above the shield is a yellow crown. The bottle’s label bears the alchemical symbol for Powder, the word CREM, and the alchemical symbol for Tartar. This jar would have held powdered cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) and is a byproduct of the winemaking process, crystallizing from the must (juice, skin, and pulp of grapes) in the fermenting barrel. Tartar was used as a diuretic and as a cathartic.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 17th-18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0372
- catalog number
- M-05521
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- collector/donor number
- SAP 233
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0372
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
EL ACID H
- Description
- This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a baked enamel white oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers, and a three-pointed crown. The cartouche is marked EL ACID H. The jar would have contained Electuarium Acidum, or Acid Electuary. Electuaries were pastes often made into lozenges. This lozenge, made with sorrel and cream of tartar, was used to treat jaundice, a yellow tinge of the skin caused by excess bilirubin in the blood.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 17th-18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0387
- catalog number
- M-05536
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- collector/donor number
- SAP 248
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0387.01
- 1991.0664.0387.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
MAGIS MARGAS
- Description
- This blown and molded wide-mouth jar has a white oval baked enamel label that is surrounded by a blue ribbon and topped with a golden crown. The jar is marked MAGIS MARGAS in black text. The jar would have contained Magisterium Margaritae, which is a formed from the reaction of pearls in an acid solution. Pearls were ground into powders and mixed in an acidic solution that was then used as a cordial and tonic.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0441
- catalog number
- M-05590
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- collector/donor number
- SAP 302
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
SAL3SE REPIL
- Description
- This blown-glass jar has a wide mouth and is covered with leather secured at the neck with string. The shield-shaped label is outlined in brown and is marked SAL3SE REPL in alternating red and black letters. The jar contained Saccharum Saturn, sugar of lead which was prescribed as an astringent or antidiaphoretic.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0446
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05595
- collector/donor number
- SAP 307
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0446
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Apothecary Jar, ACHT: SQUILL
- Description
- This blown glass drug jar is marked, ACHT: SQUILL: The opaque white color of the glass comes from the addition of tin oxide and was meant to imitate porcelain.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1991.0664.0477
- accession number
- 1991.0664
- catalog number
- M-05626
- collector/donor number
- SAP 338
- catalog number
- 1991.0664.0477
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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