All things buttons & more …
Celluloid, being one of the first plastics produced was popular from the late 1800’s right up til the 1930’s. As it was highly flammable, it was then replaced with various other synthetic plastics. These three buttons are all large, being approx. 5 to 6 cms in diameter. They are all tin backs with a metal loop shank. They are also all in a shade of brown which was a common colour of the early 20th Century.
You would not call these buttons pretty but they are very different. Being from the 1940’s they are rather chunky. They were made in a few different sizes and colours of the period.
This is a nice group of laminated bakelite buttons. Two have a combination of bakelite and wood. The triangle one combines two different colours of bakelite and the last one has a triangle of Applejuice bakelite (named because of the colour) inserted. I reckon that they are from the 1930’s period and are really striking. They all have a metal loop shank.
These two buttons are a little bit different being square and so colourful. They are made in Czechoslovakia and are fairly modern. The blue one especially when held up to the light is such a vibrant colour. The design on both is the same but because of the colour choices look different.
Button covers were made to “dress up ” a garment. You could change the look simply by sliding the back of the button cover under the existing button and snapping it shut. A plain jacket (for instance) then had a new look. I wonder who thought up this idea.
Casein is termed a plastic (being a by product from milk with an additive to harden it) Many buttons were made from this during the 1930’s and 40’s. The ones I have shown are all black and white and they certainly make a statement. Some have several layers of alternate black and white which have then been cut back through the layers at different angles giving a really good look. Others have been carved through the top black layer to reveal the white underneath. They appeal to me.
Designed by Sonia Collard of Australia, both of these buttons are sterling silver. The first one is named “Celtic Opal” as the design suggests, having a type of Celtic knot with an opal set in the middle. “Pearly Shell” is the name of the second one for obvious reasons. They are both very nicely made. Celtic Opal was made in 2016 and Pearly Shell in 2017.
These two enamel buttons both have a type of geometric design. I chose them because of their designs as well as the great colour combinations on each. I think that they are rather striking.
Here are three very different hand painted Satsuma buttons from Japan, all of which I love. The third one I think is a little more modern than the other two and very colourful. The second with three ladies is a traditional type of design. The first shows a Geisha Girl with her sunshade and is really attractive. They all have the crackled glaze which is typical of Satsuma buttons.
I also show the back view of the Geisha Girl which in this case has been signed.
Being 3 1/2 cms in diameter, this white metal button depicts a scene from The Mikado. This of course is a famous Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta. The design naturally is very Oriental with the Cherry Blossom tree and the figures with their sunshade and fan.