Button
19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-450-a/g
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of costume accessories, this unassuming 19th-centuryButton* offers a glimpse into everyday American life. Produced during a transformative era marked by rapid industrialization and evolving fashion trends, buttons like this one were essential fasteners for clothing, yet often crafted with decorative flair to reflect personal style and social status. Though the artist and medium remain unidentified—pending ongoing research—this artifact highlights the artistry hidden in functional objects. In the 1800s, buttons transitioned from handmade ...
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...