Button
late 18th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1921-22-67
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...
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...