Month: May 2026

Here are two hand made Ceramic buttons, I think they are meant to be the same design although the blue one is much more smudgy which shows that they were not made by machine. The green one appears to be leaves and either gum nuts or flowers. They are certainly not definite enough to know. They are sew through type and measure 3 cm.

Here is a large Celluloid button in a dirty greeny/brown colour. The middle section is embossed in a swirly design and has been buffed making it a lighter colour. The back has been japanned and it measures 4 1/2 cm.

Here is a brass button with paintwork in red, green and white. It is a sort of geometric design with a triangle in the centre made up of filigree work. The back is hollow with a brass loop shank and it measures a little over 2 1/2 cm. It is hard for me to imagine what type of material would be suitable for this button.

This Metal Picture button is called Waving Goodbye and shows a lady on a balcony waving her handkerchief. It has a japanned back and metal loop shank and measures 3 cm. It is amazing how much detail is put into these picture buttons.

These buttons were advertised in craft magazines several years ago and were available in Patchwork/Craft shops. They were ideal for quilting and craft projects. They are porcelain and made by Melissa Grant.

Here is a modern white metal button which is a really domed shape. Around the edge is a leafy pattern. The central circle shows a floral design. It has a long shank to cater for the highly domed shape. I have no idea of it’s age.

Here is a Metal Picture button with a floral theme. The inner circle has a large brass flower on a black textured background. The surrounding crescent shape has a white metal background with a fine floral wreath. It is quite a large button measuring a little under 4 cm.

Here are a few plastic buttons with the Coco Chanel logo on them; the two Cs back to back. She was a French Fashion Designer and lived well into her 80s.

This button is from an illustration by Kate Greenaway an English writer and illustrator from the late 1800s. It is called Miss Patty and Master Paul and the illustration from the book is shown of the children sitting on a wall. The buttons from that period were very detailed.

Here are two groups of modern plastic buttons. They are in neutral earthy shades and would look good on a natural home spun knitted woollen cardigan or a wool or linen fabric garment. They are various designs including embossing and piercing and are all special in their simple way.