Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-180-d
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this intriguing 19th-century button as a small yet evocative artifact of everyday life. Donated by Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—visionary collectors whose gifts enriched the Smithsonian's holdings—it exemplifies the subtle artistry in functional objects from America's. Classified simply as abutton," its unassuming belies the potential stories it holds about personal adornment and craftsmanship during a transformative era. The 19th century marked a golden age for buttons, evolving from basic fasteners to ornate exp...
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...