Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-10-a/d
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming 19th-century button offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of a bygone era. Produced during a time of rapid industrialization and expanding fashion in America, buttons like this one transitioned from simple fasteners to decorative elements, adorning everything from utilitarian workwear to elegant garments. Though its exact medium and maker remain under research, its presence in the Smithsonian highlights how modest objects preserve slices of daily life and cultural evolution. In the 19...
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...