Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-151
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming 19th-century offers a glimpse into everyday artistry of the Victorian era. Classified as a functional yet decorative element of attire, it exemplifies how ordinary objects could embody the craftsmanship and style of their time. Produced during a period of rapid industrialization in America, buttons like this one transitioned from handmade luxuries to mass-produced essentials, reflecting broader shifts in fashion and manufacturing. Though the artist and medium remain unidentified amid ongoin...
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...