Button
late 18th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1921-22-68
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet captivating "Button" from the late 18th century offers a glimpse into everyday elegance during America's formative years. Classified as a costume accessory and housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, it was generously gifted by collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt. With its artist unknown and research still underway, the piece invites us to ponder the artistry hidden in the smallest details of historical attire. In the late 1700s, buttons like this one were far more than functional fasteners—they were miniature canvases for craftsmanship, often adorning ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...