Button
1870–1914
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-44-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* from 1870–1914 offers a glimpse into everyday elegance of the late 19th early 20th centuries Crafted during a transformative era in American fashion—spanning the Gilded Age opulence to the dawn of modern simplicity—buttons like this one were far more than functional fasteners. They served as miniatureases for creativity, often adorned with intricate designs, materials like metal, glass, or fabric, reflecting the wearer's status and taste. Though the artist remains unknown and research...
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...