Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-379-a/f
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming 19th-century offers a glimpse into everyday American life. Though its artist and exact medium remain unknown— with research still underway—its presence highlights how even small objects carried the weight of personal style and craftsmanship during a transformative era. The 19th century saw evolve from simple fasteners to fashionable statements, often handmade or mass-produced amid the Industrial Revolution. Adorning clothing for men, women, and children, they reflected social status, regional t...
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...