Beyond Familiar Names · Subject 20 of 20 · 30 artists
Small objects can require a change of pace. A face, inscription, fastening, or minute pattern may only become clear when we stop and look closely. These thirty artists and makers bring us into that scale through selected works associated with adornment, carrying, collecting, or remembrance. Compare the front with any visible edge or back, and consider how the object might be worn, held, opened, or kept. Its materials and construction offer evidence; the personal attachment it once carried may remain beyond what the surviving record can tell us.
A 4½-minute gallery film featuring all 30 artists in this chapter. Music and artwork credits appear in the film and below.
Film soundtrack: Artists by Medium 20 - A Room Becomes a Work — an existing original instrumental from the Incoprea library, created with Suno under the owner’s Premier subscription.
Looking closely
Consider how an intimate scale concentrates craftsmanship, personal attachment, and the act of looking closely.
Explore the 20 subjects
- 01. Faces and Identities
- 02. Bodies and Gesture
- 03. Childhood and Family
- 04. Rooms and Daily Life
- 05. Work and Trade
- 06. Streets and City Life
- 07. Architecture and Built Space
- 08. Land and Sky
- 09. Water and Voyages
- 10. Plants and Gardens
- 11. Animals and Other Creatures
- 12. Dress and Self-Presentation
- 13. Music, Theatre and Dance
- 14. Sacred Stories and Devotion
- 15. Myth, Allegory and Fantasy
- 16. Power, Conflict and Public Memory
- 17. Books, Words and Knowledge
- 18. Pattern and Ornament
- 19. Vessels and Useful Beauty
- 20. Small Treasures and Keepsakes
The 30 artists in this chapter
- George Bullock
- Hartmann
- Dubuc
- David Lhonorey
- Zhang Zongcang
- Benjamin Laver
- Daniel Mignot
- Giovanni Antonio Rossi
- Kajikawa Bunryūsai
- Franz Jakob Josef Ignatz von Predl
- Jean Hardy
- Koma Sadahide
- Koma Yasutada
- Melchior-René Barré
- Lucien Falize
- Louis Thouverez
- Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
- Antoine Daroux
- Anthony Paquet
- Moritz Fürst
- Kōami Nagataka
- Salathiel Ellis
- William Wyon
- Carlo Giuliano
- Thomas Hazlehurst
- Anson Dickinson
- Francois Guillaume Tiron
- Jean-Urbain Guérin
- Pierre Louis Bouvier
- Jean-Antoine Laurent
Artist 01 of 30
George Bullock
British, ca. 1782–1818
The Met credits George Bullock as the maker of Medal cabinet, dated ca. 1814–18. The museum records its format as “Medal cabinet” and its medium as “Mahogany, oak, pine, holly; marquetry and veneer of figured oak and holly; ebony and ebonized wood; ivory; silk velvet.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “British, ca. 1782–1818.”
Artist 02 of 30
Hartmann
active Mitau
The Met credits Hartmann as the artist of Locket, dated 1802. The museum records its format as “Locket” and its medium as “Verre églomisé.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “active Mitau.”
Artist 03 of 30
Dubuc
active ca. 1780–1819
The Met credits Dubuc as the maker of Clock, dated 1815–20. The museum records its format as “Clock” and its medium as “Gilt bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “active ca. 1780–1819.”
Artist 04 of 30
David Lhonorey
active Paris, master 1782; active until 1813
The Met credits David Lhonorey as the maker of Snuffbox with portrait of a child holding a dog, dated 1782–83. The museum records its format as “Snuffbox, painting” and its medium as “Gold, enamel.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “active Paris, master 1782; active until 1813.”
Artist 05 of 30
Zhang Zongcang
Chinese, 1686–1756
The Met credits Zhang Zongcang as the artist of Miniature landscapes, dated datable to 1751–54. The museum records its format as “Album” and its medium as “Album of eight leaves; ink and color on paper.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Chinese, 1686–1756.”
Artist 06 of 30
Benjamin Laver
active 1769–1800
The Met credits Benjamin Laver as the maker of Seal box, dated 1783–84. The museum records its format as “Seal box” and its medium as “Silver, glass.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “active 1769–1800.”
Artist 07 of 30
Daniel Mignot
French, active Augsburg, fl. 1593–1616
The Met credits Daniel Mignot as the artist of Design for a Pendant Combined with Sirens and Dragonflies, dated 1616. The museum records its format as “Prints Collection Ornament & Architecture” and its medium as “Blackwork and Engraving.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, active Augsburg, fl. 1593–1616.”
Artist 08 of 30
Giovanni Antonio Rossi
Italian, Milan 1517–died after 1575
The Met credits Giovanni Antonio Rossi as the artist of Medal: Pope Marcellus II, dated model 1555 (possibly cast 17th or 18th century). The museum records its format as “Medal” and its medium as “Bronze (Copper alloy with brown patina).” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Italian, Milan 1517–died after 1575.”
Artist 09 of 30
Kajikawa Bunryūsai
Japanese, ca. 1751–1817
The Met credits Kajikawa Bunryūsai as the artist of Inrō with Treasure Boat, dated 19th century. The museum records its format as “Inrō” and its medium as “Gold and black lacquer and nashiji ground with gold and silver hiramaki-e, red lacquer, and mother-of-pearl inlay Netsuke: kingfisher; carved ivory Ojime: Chinese children; porcelain (Kutani ware.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, ca. 1751–1817.”
Artist 10 of 30
Franz Jakob Josef Ignatz von Predl
German, Plattling 1759–1806 Vilsbiburg
The Met credits Franz Jakob Josef Ignatz von Predl as the artist of Portrait of an Artist Sketching a Portrait Miniature, dated 1799. The museum records its format as “Print” and its medium as “Engraving printed in brown ink.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “German, Plattling 1759–1806 Vilsbiburg.”
Artist 11 of 30
Jean Hardy
1647–1684
The Met credits Jean Hardy as the maker of Medal of Francis, Duke de Dampville, dated 1658. The museum records its format as “Medal” and its medium as “Bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “1647–1684.”
Artist 12 of 30
Koma Sadahide
Japanese, active second half of the 18th century
The Met credits Koma Sadahide as the artist of Saya Inrō with Bamboo Grove (exterior) and Rooster with Hen (interior), dated second half of the 18th century. The museum records its format as “Inrō” and its medium as “Sheath shape; lacquered wood with gold and silver togidashimaki-e on black lacquer ground Netsuke: sage lashing his back with a fly whisk; wood with coral and ivory inlay Ojime: bronze bead with metal inlay of flowers.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, active second half of the 18th century.”
Artist 13 of 30
Koma Yasutada
Japanese
The Met credits Koma Yasutada as the artist of Inrō with Bird on a Blossoming Plum Tree, dated 19th century. The museum records its format as “Inrō” and its medium as “Black lacquer and nashiji ground with gold and silver iroe togidashi maki-e Netsuke: box with plovers; red lacquer ground with gold and brown hiramaki-e Ojime: bead with flowers; shibuichi and enamel.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese.”
Artist 14 of 30
Melchior-René Barré
master 1768, recorded 1791
The Met credits Melchior-René Barré as the maker of Double snuffbox, dated 1771–72. The museum records its format as “Snuffbox” and its medium as “Gold, glass.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “master 1768, recorded 1791.”
Artist 15 of 30
Lucien Falize
French, Paris 1839–1897 Paris
The Met credits Lucien Falize as the artist of Design for Enameled Clock, dated ca. 1882. The museum records its format as “Drawing” and its medium as “Pen and gray ink, and watercolor.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, Paris 1839–1897 Paris.”
Artist 16 of 30
Louis Thouverez
French, master 1788– died after 1823
The Met credits Louis Thouverez as the maker of Orrery clock, dated 1790. The museum records its format as “Orrery Clock” and its medium as “Cast and gilded bronze, Carrara marble, copper, brass, steel, enamel.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, master 1788– died after 1823.”
Artist 17 of 30
Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
1801–1886
The Met credits Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince as the maker of Clock, dated ca. 1860. The museum records its format as “Clock” and its medium as “Gilt bronze, porcelain.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “1801–1886.”
Artist 18 of 30
Antoine Daroux
French, master 1735, died 1789
The Met credits Antoine Daroux as the maker of Snuffbox, dated 1745–46. The museum records its format as “Snuffbox” and its medium as “Silver, parcel gilt.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “French, master 1735, died 1789.”
Artist 19 of 30
Anthony Paquet
1814–1882
The Met credits Anthony Paquet as the maker of Medal Commemorating First Japanese Embassy to the United States, dated 1860. The museum records its format as “Medal” and its medium as “Bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “1814–1882.”
Artist 20 of 30
Moritz Fürst
born 1782, active United States, 1807–ca. 1840
The Met credits Moritz Fürst as the maker of Medal of Captain Robert Henley, dated 1814–15. The museum records its format as “Medal” and its medium as “Bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “born 1782, active United States, 1807–ca. 1840.”
Artist 21 of 30
Kōami Nagataka
Japanese, active second half of the 18th century
The Met credits Kōami Nagataka as the artist of Inrō with Dragonflies, dated second half of the 18th century. The museum records its format as “Inrō” and its medium as “Three cases; lacquered wood with gold, red lacquer takamaki-e, hiramaki-e with mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; Netsuke: carved ivory; dog; Ojime: carved ivory; persimmon.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Japanese, active second half of the 18th century.”
Artist 22 of 30
Salathiel Ellis
1803–1879
The Met credits Salathiel Ellis as the maker of The "Shipwreck Medal", dated 1845–57. The museum records its format as “Medal” and its medium as “Bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “1803–1879.”
Artist 23 of 30
William Wyon
British, Birmingham 1795–1851 Brighton
The Met credits William Wyon as the artist of Medal Awarded to the Sword Makers Robert Mole and Sons, dated 1851. The museum records its format as “Medal” and its medium as “Bronze.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “British, Birmingham 1795–1851 Brighton.”
Artist 24 of 30
Carlo Giuliano
Italian, active England, ca. 1831–1895
The Met credits Carlo Giuliano as the maker of Necklace with Satyr's-head pendants, dated ca. 1870. The museum records its format as “Necklace” and its medium as “Gold, lapis lazuli, pearls, enamel.” Its collection record identifies the artist as “Italian, active England, ca. 1831–1895.”
Artist 25 of 30
Thomas Hazlehurst
British, c. 1740–c. 1821
The Cleveland Museum of Art credits Thomas Hazlehurst as artist of Pair of Miniatures: Portrait of a Man and Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Miniature, dated c. 1780. The museum records its format as “Portrait Miniature” and its medium as “watercolor on ivory.” The creator record gives this identity context: “British, c. 1740–c. 1821.”
Artist 26 of 30
Anson Dickinson
American, 1779–1852
The Cleveland Museum of Art credits Anson Dickinson as creator of Pair of Portrait Miniatures, dated c. 1810. The museum records its format as “Portrait Miniature” and its medium as “watercolor on ivory.” The creator record gives this identity context: “American, 1779–1852.”
Artist 27 of 30
Francois Guillaume Tiron
French
The Cleveland Museum of Art credits Francois Guillaume Tiron as artist of Snuff Box (Tabatière), dated 1761–62. The museum records its format as “Miscellaneous” and its medium as “gold and enamel.” The creator record gives this identity context: “French.”
Artist 28 of 30
Jean-Urbain Guérin
French, 1760–1836
The Cleveland Museum of Art credits Jean-Urbain Guérin as artist of Snuff Box, dated 1805. The museum records its format as “Portrait Miniature” and its medium as “watercolor on ivory mounted on a box.” The creator record gives this identity context: “French, 1760–1836.”
Artist 29 of 30
Pierre Louis Bouvier
Swiss, 1765–1836
The Cleveland Museum of Art credits Pierre Louis Bouvier as artist of Snuff Box with a Portrait of a Lady, dated 1803. The museum records its format as “Portrait Miniature” and its medium as “watercolor on ivory; tortoise-shell lining; gilt metal rings.” The creator record gives this identity context: “Swiss, 1765–1836.”
Artist 30 of 30
Jean-Antoine Laurent
French, 1763–1832
The Cleveland Museum of Art credits Jean-Antoine Laurent as artist of Portrait of the Artist's Children Emma and Paul, dated c. 1795. The museum records its format as “Portrait Miniature” and its medium as “watercolor on ivory, gold mount, set in the cover of a composition bonbonniere.” The creator record gives this identity context: “French, 1763–1832.”
