Button
18th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Frances L. Livingston
Accession Number
1936-49-2-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet fascinating *Button* from the th century offers a glimpse into the everyday elegance of colonial-era fashion. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Department of Costume & Accessories, was generously donated by Frances L. Livingston. Classified as a costume accessory, this artifact highlights how even small objects played a role in personal adornment during a transformative period in American history. In the 18th century, buttons were far more than functional fasteners—they adorned garments like waistcoats, coats, dresses, often showcasing the wearer's social sta...
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...