Button

Unknown Artist

ca. 1780

Button by Unknown Artist

Medium

metal, sapphires, pearls

Classification

Button

Culture

Hungarian

Department

Costume Institute

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

From the Hanna S. Kohn Collection, 1951

Accession Number

50.231.1–.6

Art Historical Context

This exquisite button, crafted around 1780 in Hungary, exemplifies the opulent accessories of 18th-century European fashion Made from gleaming metal adorned with sapphires and pearls, it transforms a humble functional object into a jewel-like statement of luxury. Such buttons were often used on elite garments, securing cuffs or bodices while showcasing the wearer's wealth and status during the late Enlightenment era, when rococo influences lingered in decorative arts. Hailing from Hungarian culture, this piece reflects the refined craftsmanship of Central European jewelers, who skillfully com...

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