All things buttons & more …
Here are several old plastic buttons of various sizes, colours and periods. I keep them in a divided box just for interest sake. They are too good to throw out but not good enough to mount on a card. I do not know their age but guess they could be from the 1940s – 50s. Sometimes I just tip them onto a tray and “play” with them. They are quite tactile. The colours are not as gaudy as those of today.
This is a Metal Picture button featuring Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf of the popular children’s story. The scene is in brass and it has a very decorative border. It is rather large and measures 4 cm.
I think these two plastic buttons are actually Casein and probably from the 1930s. I do not know my plastics so usually generalize. They are very shiny and in good condition. They are both sew through type; one having four holes and the other two. The red and white makes quite a statement.
Here is a trio of white glass buttons which have been painted in bright colours in an abstract design. They have a metal four way box shank. They measure a little under 1 1/2 cm so are reasonably small.
Here are three painted glass buttons depicting flowers. They are different in colour combinations and designs. The paintwork is in fairly good condition which is not always the case. It is also good to have glass buttons which have no chips.
Here are three buttons of the same design but in different colour schemes. They are of thread wound around a mould and stitched in a complimentary colour. I can’t imagine what type of garment these buttons would have been worn on.
Here are a group of buttons bought new at a market in Bangkok, Thailand in 2014. I was on holidays with my nephew and family. Apart from the two little ones they all have a diamante trim. I guess they may have been made in Thailand. The black and white makes a nice display.
This is an interesting group of fabric buttons which I think come from India. They are very ornate with their gold and silver stitching and beads on a black velvet ground. To me they have a regal look about them.
This is a white glass paperweight button. It has been decorated with a modern style butterfly and flower in lovely bright colours. A metal loop shank has been embedded into the back. It measures over 2 cm.
This metal button is realistic showing an insect on a leaf. The detail is fine and effective. I don’t think I would like to wear it on a garment but it is interesting anyway.