Button
late 18th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1925-2-19
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection costume and accessories, this unassuming "Button" from the late 18 century offers a glimpse into everyday life during a transformative era. Donated by the notable collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt it exemplifies how museums preserve humble objects that whisper tales of history. Currently under research, its precise medium remains a mystery, inviting scholars to uncover more about its creation. In the late 1700s—amid the American Revolution and the rise of Neoclassical tastes—buttons transcended mere utility. They adorned garments o...
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...