Button
ca. 1880
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Jennie M. Clow
Accession Number
1943-4-3-b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming "Button" from around 1880 offers a glimpse into everyday Victorian-era life. Donated by Jennie M.low, it exemplifies the small yet telling artifacts that museums preserve to illuminate history. Crafted during a time of rapid industrialization and evolving American fashion, buttons like this transitioned from mere fasteners to decorative statements, often adorned with intricate designs, metals, or fabrics that reflected social status and personal style. In the late 19th century, accessories were...
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...