Button
mid-19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-305-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This modest yet captivating "Button" hails from the mid-19th, a time when American fashion blossomed amid the Victorian era's emphasis on ornamentation and craftsmanship. Classified within the Smithsonian American Art Museum costume and accessories collection, it exemplifies how everyday objects could embody personal style and social aspirations. Generously gifted by Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—renowned collectors and sisters who championed decorative arts—this artifact underscores the era's blend of functionality and flair. Buttons like this one were far more than mere fasteners; they served as...
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...