Agate coat button

Status

Not on view

Label Text

This agate stud-backed button with a silver boss was among a larger set owned by George Washington. Originally numbering a dozen or more, the semi-opaque hemisphere of precious stone offered a unique embellishment to one of Washington's formal coats. The white and brown striations in the stone would have offered a sharp visual contrast and compliment to the black velvet that Washington often wore during his presidential years. Following Washington's death in 1799, his agate buttons joined many others removed from his clothing and preserved by family members and admirers.

See also buttons, W-2343/A, B, D, W-943, and W-2344/A&B, and gold brooch, W-2777.

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Date1755-1795

Geography Probably made - England

Medium/TechniqueAgate, silver

DimensionsOverall: 1 1/4 in. x 1 1/4 in. x 5/8 in. (3.18 cm x 3.18 cm x 1.59 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mary Lee Bowman and Robert E. Lee IV, 1985

Object numberW-2343/C

DescriptionAgate button with silver boss at center; polished domed face on the obverse; flat surface on the reverse; silver loop shank projecting from the rear.
Published ReferencesGeorge Bolling Lee, will dated 27 June 1944, unowned manuscripts, MVLA.

Mary Custis Lee, Appraisement of Estate of Mary Custis Lee, probated 21 February 1920, proved 29 March 1920, unowned manuscripts, U.S. District Court, Washington, D.C.

"List of Washington and Other Silver and Washington and Other Relics," [10 October 1902], unowned manuscripts, MVLA.

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