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Object Timeline

1949

  • We acquired this object.

2020

2025

  • You found it!

Button

This is a Button. It was attributed to Agostino Brunias and made for Toussaint L'Ouverture. It is dated late 18th century and we acquired it in 1949. Its medium is gouache paint on ivory verre fixé (affixed to) glass, ivory (backing), gilt metal. It is a part of the department.

These painted buttons depicting scenes of 18th century Haiti came from a coat worn by Granois Dominique Toussaint L'Ouverture (1743-1810s). A self-educated slave, patriot, and martyr, Toussaint L'Ouverture was the leader of a rebellion that resuted in the creation of a short-liveded Haitian republic. (Design for Life, 1997-98).

This object was donated by R. Keith Kane. It is credited Gift of R. Keith Kane from the Estate of Mrs. Robert B. Noyes.

Its dimensions are

H x diam.: 1 x 3.7 cm (3/8 x 1 7/16 in.)

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318804741/ |title=Button |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>