Frank J. Mace

Frank J. Mace was a documentarian active in the American decorative arts during the mid-1930s, specifically working between 1935 and 1937. His entire known output consists of fifteen detailed records prepared for the Index of American Design (IAD), a pivotal federal arts program established under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to systematically record American folk and decorative art objects.

Mace’s contributions to the Index focused on accurate, illustrative representations of historical material culture rather than traditional fine art. These records are crucial studies of design and craftsmanship. Examples of works documented by Mace include a Collar & Cuff Box, a detailed study of a Cowhorn Cane, and several technical drawings related to fiber arts, such as Embroidery and an Embroidered Picture.

Fifteen of these historically significant Index documents are preserved in major institutions, confirming the artist's role in the national documentation effort. Mace’s work is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. As WPA documentation, the detailed records often fall into the public domain, ensuring that researchers and the public can access museum-quality high-quality prints and downloadable artwork of these historical objects for educational and preservation purposes.