The Index of American Design is a collection of watercolor renderings of
objects of popular art in the United States from before 1700 until about
1900. The renderings represent American ceramics, furniture,
woodcarving, glassware, metalwork, tools and utensils, textiles,
costumes, and other types of American craftsmanship. There are some
seventeen thousand renderings and about five hundred photographs. These
are available for study, by appointment. The works themselves may be
loaned to organizations for exhibition outside the Gallery.