Made in Czechoslovakia, this is a lovely button with the colour combination of purple and silver. I have seen it in other colours but I feel this one rather regal looking.
BAKELITE BUTTONS
I have taken a fancy to Bakelite buttons and previously didn’t have many. Here is an interesting group; one is carved and very chunky and one is Applejuice bakelite (named so because of the colour) with a Mother of Pearl centre and pin shank. The other two both have gold coloured inclusions giving them a sparkly look. I really love the carved look and have bought several larger ones recently. Let’s save them for another day!!
AUSTRIAN TINIES
As the name suggests these buttons are small and were mainly made in Austria. I really appreciate the workmanship in them because of their detail in such a small button. They have a Japanned (black painted metal) back with a loop shank. Some have Mother of Pearl, Velvet, Dyed metal and Celluloid as backgrounds, then having delicate filigree designs on top. What wonderful little works of art. I have displayed this large group in a lovely velvet and gold frame (from the opp shop of course!) which I feel is very appropriate.
HORN WITH SILVER INLAY
I really like these two buttons. They are blonde horn both with silver inlay in floral patterns. They show some wear and tear but they are from the late 1890’s or early 1900’s so that is very understandable.
BLACK GLASS
Being square, these black glass buttons are just a little bit different. One has a silver lustre. I think both the designs are very nice; especially the one with the lustre. It also has a four way metal box shank whilst the black one has a self shank and therefore not as old. There were many black glass buttons made over the years.
PLASTIC & METAL
Quite large in size, these buttons are both of a cherry red colour with a brass decorative centre in the style of a flower. They have a tin shank on the back. I think they may be from the 1950’s – 60’s period.
STUDIO BUTTONS
These two glass buttons were made by Di Bloomfield from Australia. I have been fascinated by glass for a long time and the colours and the modern design of these buttons are very eye catching. I have enjoyed watching a glass maker in Bendigo make beads and that would be a similar process to buttons I think. What a wonderful art.
PLASTIC BUTTONS
A lot of these buttons are opp shop finds over the years. They are various old plastics but simple as they may seem they still take place in the history of fashion. I think it wise to keep some of them so they may be slotted into their particular period in time. They may not be beautiful but are still important.
ENAMELLED BUTTONS
Here are two enamelled buttons in the Art Nouveau style from the early 1900’s. I love the flowing lines of this period; they are so elegant and graceful. They both have floral designs but are quite different. The designs of buttons always impress me and I wonder who actually designed them. I am sure they would have “played “with pencil and paper trying all angles and aspects until they came up with what pleased them the most. I also wonder if there are any such sketch books from designers in museums. Oh how I would love to see one!
PORCELAIN
I have just bought these three buttons made by Birchcroft of England. They are three different iris pictures and are of very good quality. Their trademark is shown on the back.