Month: June 2024

These four porcelain buttons were handmade by Jennifer Warburton from Phillip Island , Victoria in 2012. The picture does not show them at their best. The colours are nice and the designs are imprinted in them. She trades under “Embellish a Little” They measure between 2 1/2 & 3 cm.

These two Cut Steel buttons are quite different to one another. The one on the right is brass with five large Cut Steel set in the circles and is convex. The other one is of white metal and a black background which makes the central design stand out. It has twelve small Cut Steel in sets of three with one larger one in the centre. They both have a metal loop shank and measure a little over 2 1/2 cm.

Here is a Victorian Celluloid button or Celluloid Back button. I rather like it for it’s delicate metal floral design over the light brown back. I have quite a few of these types of buttons and lots of them in shades of grey and brown. I think they were popular colours of the time. As common this button has a japanned back and brass loop shank. It measures a little over 3 cm.

These three Whistle buttons are made of Composition which to my way of thinking is a mixture of left overs like sawdust, stone filings etc. and some type of glue with I imagine some type of hardener to set it. A Whistle button has one largish hole in the front with two holes in the back and that enables you to sew on the button and the thread is down in the hole and can’t rub or wear out. Do I sound like I know what I am talking about cos I am trying!! Apparently in the old days there were small whistles that were similar to these buttons, hence the name.

Here is a good looking layered and carved Bakelite button. To me all the large chunky carved Bakelite buttons are of good quality. It is layered black, applejuice then black again and is cut away at the two sides leaving the highest point in the middle. It would look very smart on a black coat. It measures a little over 3 1/2cm and has a metal loop shank.

This Celluloid button is rather nice in a khaki/brown colour with a central disc of buffed celluloid which blends nicely with the outer. It has a japanned back and measures just under 4 1/2 cm so is rather large; presumably an overcoat button.

Here is a modern MOP button which I recieved as a swap at our little Button Group a few Christmases ago. I love it. It is much nicer in reality; so cute. I guess it is transfer printed and shows a little girl with a watering can. I think it has a clear gloss layer on top as it has a very high sheen. It is a sew through type and measures a little over 2 1/2cm. It was made in France.

Here are two metal buttons with an Egyptian theme and the designs are the same showing a lady with flowers. One is a solid button and measures 3 cm while the other is open work measuring a little under 2 cm. They both have a metal loop shank. I do not know if there is some story relating to these buttons.

I keep this button with my Gay Nineties buttons; whether that is the correct catagory I am not sure. To me it sort of looks regal with the silver and various coloured stones. It is actually white metal and has quite a nice decorative embossed border. It is backmarked GESETZLICH which from the German translates to protected, as like a patent. It has a brass loop shank and measures a little under 4 cm so is rather large.

Here is a Bakelite button which is square and has a brass cross in the middle. The Bakelite is simply carved and set into brass. The back is nearly more interesting than the front having a floral design embossed onto the brass. It has a metal loop shank.