Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-302-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet fascinating *Button* from the 19th century belongs to Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories. Generously gifted by collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—known for their passion for design and decorative arts—it exemplifies the everyday objects that reveal much about historical daily life. Currently marked as "Research in Progress it invites ongoing exploration into its precise origins and craftsmanship. In the 19th century, buttons transitioned from simple fasteners to intricate accessories, reflecting the era's industrial innovations and Vic...
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...