Button
1870–71
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-58
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Button (1870–71) Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection costume and accessories, this unassuming *Button* from 1870–71 offers a glimpse into everyday artistry of post-Civil War America.ed during the Reconstruction era when the nation was rebuilding amid rapid industrialization and social change, such buttons were essential components of clothing, reflecting the era's evolving fashions and craftsmanship. Though the artist and medium remain unknown—part of ongoing research—this small object highlights how functional items could embody aesthetic ingenuity. Buttons like ...
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...