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American folk and design

The everyday art of early America, recorded in watercolour by the Index of American Design.

90 works · hang 1843 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

Section 1, north wall

  1. The image shows a spinning wheel with intricate details, surrounded by smaller insets highlighting specific components. The color palette consists of muted browns, greens, and beiges. The spinning wheel is positioned in the center, with its circular wheel on the right and the spinning mechanism on the left. Detailed insets are placed around the spinning wheel, each showing different mechanical elements.
    Spinning WheelClyde L. Cheney, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image displays a single ornate vase with a bulbous base and a ruffled top, taking up most of the frame. The vase is predominantly pink with red accents, the ruffled top is highlighted with white on the inner edges, and there's a crisscross pattern visible on the body. Against a plain beige background, the vase is centrally positioned.
    Ornamental Ruby VaseRobert Stewart, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a painted decoy of a bird mounted on a wooden stake. The decoy has intricate details with spots of yellow and green on top of a dark body. The colors are naturalistic with brown, black, yellow, white, and beige. In the lower left section of the image, there are two line drawings of a bird.
    Snipe DecoyLawrence Flynn, 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. The image shows a beige knitted fingerless glove on a light-colored background. The glove is flat and displayed vertically, with the thumb-piece extending to the left. There is a subtle dark pattern or lettering at the base of the glove. The color palette is warm with beige tones against the light background, emphasizing the texture and design of the glove.
    Knitted GloveElizabeth Moutal, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a drawing of three decorative bonnets. The drawing features three different hat designs, each embellished with lace, ribbon, and bow details. The upper left bonnet is adorned with pink hues and intricate lace, displaying a floral-like bow. The top right bonnet showcases a turquoise ribbon and bow, surrounded by soft lace. The lower bonnet is in grayscale, with shadowing for dimension, featuring a checkered ribbon. Each hat is detailed with line work and shading, conveying elegance.
    CapsUnrecorded American maker, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. This is a painting of a decorative wooden chest. The chest has intricate designs, such as painted figures, trees, and animals, creating a narrative scene on its front side, and floral motifs on its sides. The craftsmanship suggests it is an ornate object, potentially used for storage or as an ornamental piece. The painting focuses on the texture and details of the wood and decoration with precision, in a traditional arts and crafts or folk art style, emphasizing fine detail and storytelling through imagery on functional furniture.
    Jewel CabinetCharles Henning, c. 1939Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south wall

  1. The image depicts a detailed illustration of a dress with exaggerated puff sleeves and ruffles towards the bottom. It is created using a dotted pattern with red accents around the edges and seams. The color palette consists of mostly muted tones with touches of red. The dress is positioned in the upper right quadrant of the image, while a smaller, less detailed sketch of the same dress without colors is located in the lower left quadrant.
    Child's DressRay Price, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image depicts an iron sculpture with grapevine motifs. The color scheme is primarily brown, with a textured appearance. The grapevine design is arranged vertically and includes grape clusters and leaves. The sculpture is mounted on a base and includes an iron bar at the top. The artist's signature "ROSE CAMPBELL GERKE" is visible in the lower right corner of the image.
    FenceRose Campbell-Gerke, c. 1940Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows two foot stools. One is a round stool with four legs and the other is a small two-step wooden staircase. The color palette includes shades of brown and tan against a light beige background. The round stool is positioned to the left, and the step-stool is to the right. Both are labeled with the words "Foot Stools" below them.
    Shaker StoolsLawrence Foster, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. The image shows an ornate metalwork design with a winged creature. The design features intricate wrought iron decoration with a mythical figure, resembling a Pegasus, enclosed within a circular frame. The central circle is surrounded by symmetrical, stylized scrollwork motifs and horizontal bars, suggesting an architectural or ornamental fixture intended for use in structures like gates or window grills. The detailed craftsmanship and balanced design highlight the creature's form and the harmonious symmetry of the patterns.
    Fence - Sea Horse DesignPearl Torell, c. 1939Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a drawing of a tool with intricate patterns. The tool appears elongated with a pronged end, and features symmetrical geometric designs etched along the handle. The drawing also includes a side profile showing its slender form.
    ForkAnthony Zuccarello, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image depicts a young person standing upright with distinct facial features including rounded cheeks, a small mouth, and large eyes. They are wearing a brown dress with a cream-colored shawl, a bonnet with dark trim, and a pouch hanging from their left side. The background is plain and cream-colored.
    Quaker DollJacob Gielens, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. A brown tree branch with several thick, bifurcated limbs is central in the image. The background is a muted beige with aged discoloration marks. The branch is oriented horizontally, with its thicker end on the left and split limbs extending to the right. In the top left corner, there is a rectangular inset with a simplified line drawing of the branch's shape.
    BootjackLloyd A. Davidson, c. 1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a painting of a decorative quilt pattern. The image shows a grid of square sections with various colorful motifs including stars, flowers, a horse, a house, and a cup. The design features vibrant colors, symmetrical patterns, and a central section with the date "1859". The quilt border has leaf-like patterns creating a frame around the central grid. The style is folk art.
    Applique QuiltSuzanne Roy, 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, south wall

  1. The image shows a large ceramic vase with two curved handles positioned near the top on either side. The vase has an earthy color palette with shades of brown, beige, and a subtle hint of reddish-brown forming a band around its middle. The vase is centrally placed on a flat surface, and both handles extend outward at the top.
    VaseIsadore Goldberg, c. 1939Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a dark metal object with two parts: a handle and a blade. The color palette consists of shades of dark brown on a light beige background. The handle is located at the top center, and the blade portion is positioned below it, both aligned vertically in the center of the frame.
    SpitEmile Cero, c. 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington