Button
19th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1931-59-120-b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of costume and accessories, this unassuming 19th-century button offers a glimpse into everyday life and craftsmanship of the era. Produced by an unknown maker, it exemplifies the small yet essential objects that adorned clothing, jewelry, and personal items, blending functionality with subtle artistry. As part of the museum's Smithsonian Collection, it highlights how such modest artifacts preserve stories of fashion, trade, and daily routines in American history. Buttons from the 1800s were more than fasteners; they often showcased e...
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...