Button
1870–71
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-89-a/c
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this modest yet captivating *Button* dates to 1870–71, a pivotal era in post-Civil War America. Donated by the esteemed collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—known for their passion for design and decorative arts—this artifact invites us to explore the everyday elegance of Victorian-era fashion. Though the artist and medium remain unidentified amid ongoing research, its classification highlights how even small objects like buttons served as functional art, adorning garments and reflecting personal style. In ...
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...