I like Satsuma buttons especially those with figures on them which are a little harder to find. Here are two such buttons each with a single Geisha Girl. They are simple in design and the colours are pleasing. They measure 2 cm.
SATSUMA BUTTONS
GLASS BUTTON
This is a red glass button with a gold lustre border which is a bit different because of it’s triangular shape. It has a self shank. It would look quite nice on the appropriate garment.
METAL BUTTON
This metal picture button is mounted on a bright orange plastic disc and that is how I bought it. It is brass and is embossed with a Geisha Girl and some apple blossom. There is also what looks like a Japanese symbol. I wonder what it means. The button itself measures a little over 3 1/2 cm.
PLASTIC BUTTONS
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.
METAL PICTURE BUTTON
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.
PLASTIC BUTTONS
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.
GLASS BUTTONS
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.
GLASS BUTTONS
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.
PASSEMENTERIE BUTTONS
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.
NEW BUTTONS
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.