Button
19th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-255
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming 19th-century button offers a glimpse into everyday artistry from America's past. Classified under costume and accessories, it exemplifies how even small functional objects could embody craftsmanship and style during the Victorian era, when fashion details like buttons adorned clothing for both men and women, signaling social status and personal taste. In the 19th century buttons evolved from simple fasteners into decorative elements, often crafted from materials like metal, bone, or fabric to c...
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...