Button
late 19th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-59-329-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection costume and accessories, this unassuming yet intriguing *Button* hails from the late 19th century—a time when everyday objects like fasteners became canvases for creativity and social expression. Donated as a gift from Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, collectors whose generosity enriched American design holdings, this piece reflects the era's blend of functionality and ornamentation. Though the artist and medium remain unidentified amid ongoing research, its classification highlights how personal adornments encapsulated Victorian-era tastes....
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...