Orrie McCombs

Orrie McCombs was active in American arts documentation during the critical period of 1935 to 1940. McCombs is primarily known for contributions to the Index of American Designs, a vast federal initiative dedicated to recording and cataloging the breadth of American material culture and decorative arts. The artist's specialized focus involved creating meticulous renderings of functional and domestic artifacts, providing valuable historical documentation of early American craftsmanship.

The work produced by McCombs exemplifies the detailed, illustrative style characteristic of the Index of American Designs project. Five documented works by the artist are preserved in institutional collections, offering insights into traditional objects of the era. These pieces include focused studies of a Copper Kettle, a Coffee Grinder, and a Pewter Salt Shaker. Other documented artifacts include renderings of a Trunk and a Trivet.

These Orrie McCombs prints and designs are permanently preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, establishing their historical and artistic credibility. Today, these designs are frequently made available as museum-quality resources. Due to their status as historical documentation, many of these images are considered public domain assets, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to high-quality prints for educational and study purposes.