Button

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This unassuming yet intriguing *Button* from the late18th century offers a glimpse into everyday life during America's formative years, just after the Revolutionary War. Classified as costume and accessories in the Smithsonian American Art's collection, it exemplifies the small, functional objects that defined personal style and craftsmanship of the era. Buttons like this were essential fasteners on garments, from coats to waistcoats, often reflecting social status through their materials and design—though specifics of its medium remain under study. As a gift from collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, renowned for their passion for decorative arts, this piece highlights the Hewitt sisters' role in preserving artifacts of American material culture. Donated to what became part of the Smithsonian's vast holdings, it underscores how museums elevate humble items to reveal broader historical narratives, such as evolving fashion trends influenced by European imports and emerging American manufacturing. Currently marked "Research in Progress," this button invites ongoing discovery, reminding us that even the tiniest artifacts hold stories of innovation, trade, and daily ingenuity from a pivotal time in history. Visitors are encouraged to ponder: What garment did it adorn, and whose hand fastened it?

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...