Buttons

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

### Buttons (1852–70) Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection of costume and accessories, *Buttons* represents a charming artifact from mid-19th-century America. Dated between 1852 and 1870, this set—gifted by collectors Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt— a glimpse into everyday adornment during the Victorian era. Though the artist and exact medium remain unidentified amid ongoing research, buttons like these were essential fasteners that doubled as subtle expressions of style and status. In the bustling world of antebellum and post-Civil War America, buttons evolved from mere utili...

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...