Copper alloy two-piece domed waist coat button face and shank.

Notes

This is a shattered 2-piece copper alloy button. After conservation, the button shattered into approximately ten fragments and therefore no measurements other than weight was recorded. Notes from prior to conservation indicate the original measurements were as follows: the height of the dome was greater than 4mm the thickness of the domed face was 1.04mm, and the shank would have rose 6.97mm above the back of the button.

Despite of the fragmentation, this is the very clear example of the copper alloy wire that was inserted through the button back and served as the shank to attach the button to clothing items.

Object Type

Buttons

Has it Been Conserved?

Yes

Where Was It Found?

Project Site: House for Families [more details]

Shape

Round

Completeness

Incomplete

Date

18th century

Country of Origin

Indeterminate

Weight

0.6 gram(s)

Object Number

1789053

DAACS Number

1789053

Project: House for Families

The structure identified as the “House for Families” on the 1787 Vaughan plan likely housed the majority of the enslaved population living at the Mansion House Farm for much of the second half of the eighteenth century. The building was in existence from circa 1760 until it was demolished in late 1792 or early 1793. The archaeological evidence for the structure consisted of a brick-lined storage cellar (44FX762/40-47) measuring roughly six feet by six feet. Historically the cellar served as a handy trash receptacle once it ceased to be used for its original storage function, and through extensive excavation has yielded an extremely rich assemblage of household refuse. The analysis of these remains offers the opportunity to study important aspects of the daily lives of Mount Vernon's enslaved community.

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Copper alloy two-piece domed waist coat button face and shank.

Notes

Object Type

Has it Been Conserved?

Where Was It Found?

Material

Manufacturing Technology

Form

Shape

Completeness

Date

Country of Origin

Weight

Object Number

DAACS Number

Project: House for Families

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