Button
late 19th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1925-2-408-d/h
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet captivating **Button** dates to the 19th century and resides in the Smithsonian American Art's Department of Costume &. Generously gifted by Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—prominent collectors whose donations enriched Smithsonian holdings—this small artifact is classified as a costume accessory. With research still in progress and its creator unknown, it invites us to appreciate the subtle artistry hidden in everyday objects. In the Victorian era of the late 1800s, buttons transcended mere functionality, becoming miniature canvases for fashion and design. Mass production techniques alongside handcrafted details allowed them to adorn garments with elegance, reflecting social trends, technological innovation, and personal style. As part of a prestigious collection, this button embodies the era's blend of utility and ornamentation. Though specifics await further study, it highlights how museums preserve fragments of lived history, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Next time you fasten a button, consider its predecessors' quiet legacy!
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...