Button
1801–50
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-109
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This unassuming button, dating from 1801 to 1850, offers a glimpse into everyday life in early 19th-century America Classified as a costume and accessory in the Smithsonian American Museum's collection, it represents the small but essential objects that fastened garments during a transformative era. This period spanned the young republic's growth, from the Louisiana Purchase and War of 1812 to the eve of the Civil War, when fashion reflected emerging national identity, social class, and craftsmanship. Though the artist and medium remain unknown—pending ongoing research—this artifact highlight...
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...