Unknown Maker, American

Charles Pendleton’s service in the Civil War is suggested by the martial jacket and the stamped case, which reads The Union Now and Forever. Probably a mere 15 when this was taken, he gave his collection of American decorative arts, on view in the Pendleton House, to the RISD Museum in 1904.

In 1904, Charles L. Pendleton made the extraordinary decision to bequeath his entire collection of 18th and 19th-century American and English furniture, glass, ceramics, rugs, and metalwork to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Two years later, the RISD Museum opened this country’s first museum wing dedicated to the display of American decorative arts. Known as Pendleton House, its architecture is based on Pendleton’s 1799 Georgian residence, still standing nearby at 72 Waterman Street.

Not only was Pendleton’s gift visionary, he was sought by many for his expertise and credited with inspiring generations of collectors and benefactors. This exhibition features many works from his collection.