Button
1800–1850
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-307-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection costume and accessories, this unassuming *Button* dates to the early 19th century (0–1850), a formative era in American fashion and daily life. Crafted during time when the young United States was defining its cultural identity amid industrialization and expanding trade, buttons like this one were essential fasteners for clothing, from utilitarian workwear to elegant garments. Though its exact medium remains unidentified, such artifacts often highlight the craftsmanship of everyday objects, blending functionality with subtle decoratio...
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...