Buttonsplus

Here are two metal picture buttons featuring a head and some flowers. To me the head looks like an Egyptian lady but my friend thinks it is an Indian Chieftain so take your choice. It is an unusual design. They have a japanned back and metal loop shank and measure a little over 3 cm.

These four porcelain buttons are by Arita from Japan I think they are Noh masks and not Immortal Gods which are both common in button form. You would certainly not call them pretty but they are interesting. They are featured in the book “About Buttons” by Peggy Ann Osborne. I think there should be six of them. I bought these in June, 2011 at if I remember correctly a junky collectables shop in Melbourne. I do not know the history of Noh Masks but think they may have been used in a type of Opera.

I think this Metal Picture button is a fairly common one and I also think it is in The Big Book of Buttons. To me it is always a thrill to find a button you own featured in a book. It depicts a flower which I guess is a Chrysanthemum but am not sure. The border is of hearts which overlaps a white metal rim. It is quite a nice size too.

Here is a modern white metal button which is quite domed. I think it is a rather nice design with it’s floral centre then decorative border to compliment it. I think it was one of my Opp Shop finds. I have no idea of it’s age.

Here are two modern Ceramic buttons with simple lines as their design. They are quite striking in their simplicity. They have a high gloss glaze on the top of them. They are both two hole sew through type; the white one measuring 3 cm and the black one a little over 2 cm. I’m sure both of them would look great on the appropriate garment.

This enamel button is quite large at 3 1/2 cm. The colour scheme of purple, pink and teal is a little different as is the geometric design, It is also pierced and has a brass loop shank.

These two flower buttons are actually Uranium glass and glow bright green under a UV light. They have a slight green tint to them and have a silver coating on the back. The stamens are highlighted in gold which doesn’t show up too well in the photo.

This is a really nice button but does not show up to advantage in the photo. It is black celluloid with a delicate design in blue and lighter blue. That is surrounded by a narrow cream border which is then set into black painted metal. It is quite striking. It measures a little over 2 1/2cm and has a metal loop shank.

Here is a wooden button with a simple design of a yacht and a rope like border. It is a sew through type with two holes and measures a little over 2 1/2 cm.

Here is a Celluloid Wafer button in gentle colours of Grey/green, Cream and Black. It is in layers and where it is cut away at the three crescent shapes you can see the layer of cream. The black lines give it a striking look and would look good on an overcoat in the 1930s. An Art Deco style button which were all dramatic looking.