Button
late 18th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1921-22-71
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming button from the late 18th century a glimpse into everyday life during America's formative years. Donated by the esteemed collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—sisters known for their passion for decorative arts—this small artifact highlights how even humble objects served as markers of personal style and social status. Produced in an era of revolutionary change, from the American Revolution to the early republic, buttons like this one fastened coats, waistcoats, and gowns, blending utility wit...
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...