Nicholas Amantea

Nicholas Amantea was active around 1935, dedicating their efforts to the detailed visual documentation of American decorative and utilitarian objects. The works attributed to Amantea in major collections are primarily associated with the ambitious project cataloging American historical artifacts, represented by the "15 index of american designs."

Amantea's documentation focuses on material culture, capturing precise details of historical craftsmanship. This body of work includes accurate renderings of domestic items such as the Apple Butter Pot, Blue Glass, Bowl, and Decanter. Reflecting the breadth of early American craft surveyed by the project, Amantea also documented specialized objects, including the Figurehead.

Five of these documentation drawings or Nicholas Amantea prints are represented in museum collections, establishing the historical value of the records. This significant visual archive of Americana is preserved in institutions such as the National Gallery of Art. Because these historical documentations often fall into the public domain, the underlying designs and Amantea's precise renderings are readily available. Researchers and collectors utilize high-quality prints derived from this archive for study and appreciation of early American design.