Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-170-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### 19th-Century Button This unassuming yet intriguing "Button" from Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection hails from the 19th century classified under costume and accessories. As a small but essential element of everyday attire, it exemplifies the functional artistry found in personal adornments of the Victorian era. Produced during a time of rapid industrialization in America, buttons like this transitioned from handcrafted heirlooms to mass-produced items, reflecting broader shifts in manufacturing and consumer culture. Though the artist and exact medium remain unknown— with resear...
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...