Here are two enamelled brass buttons both with a floral theme on a white background. One has lovely royal blue enamelling broken up by gold embossing. The other one has a scalloped edge. These type of buttons are fairly common.
ENAMEL BUTTONS
INRO AND NETSUKE
This is a Japanese Lacquer Box Inro with Netsuke from the Showa period. It has one compartment only. The Netsuke at the top is a carved dragon and the ojime is a brightly coloured wooden bead. These pouches were used to carry money, tobacco or medicine. I bought this at an Antique Centre in Camberwell in 2015 and was thrilled to get it.
COCONUT SHELL BUTTONS
Here are three modern coconut shell buttons with cold enamel in lovely bright colours and the same floral design. You can tell they are hand done as they are not identical. I have bought them at a Haberdashery shop and they make a nice set. I have just learned how to put three photos in a row on my computer so I am pleased with myself ! It is good when you can learn something new.
STUDIO BUTTONS
These two glass buttons are colourful and cheery and I like them. They were handmade by Di Bloomfield from Victoria. They have a plastic shank glued to the back of them and measure 2 cm.
REPRODUCTION BUTTON
This is a reproduction white metal button made in Italy under La Mode brand. It was made for Blumenthal Lansing Company of USA copying a button from the 1900-1910 period. I bought a series of these reproduction buttons on their original cards at a craft shop in Bendigo in 2010.
PERSPEX BUTTONS
Here is a group of Clear Perspex Buttons. They all have a metal disc in the centre which are decorated by piercing or embossing and tinting. One even shows a horse and rider jumping over a hurdle. The others are floral or geometric in design.
PLASTIC BUTTONS
Here are two modern plastic buttons which are just a bit of fun. One is Betty Boop and the other a Flapper Girl. I don’t know that I would want them on a garment but they are good for a collection. I have just looked up BBB and they are Laser cut, surface coloured polyester made in Brazil for JHB International about 1998. I bought them at the Haberdashery store.
STUDIO BUTTON
Here is a handmade Glass Paperweight button which is very colourful. It was made by Mary Gaumond from USA. I guess it is lampwork glass which I have watched being made at the Bendigo Pottery. It is a fascinating process. The colours in glass always show up so beautifully. It has a metal loop shank and measures 1 1/2 cm.
FABRIC BUTTONS
Here is a fabric covered buckle and some buttons. Home dressmakers used these all the time as you could buy the kits ready to use. That was especially in the 1930s to 50s. It is interesting to see the various fabrics and compare them with the fabrics of today. My, how things change.
CUT STEEL BUTTON
This Cut Steel button has a floral theme. The flowers each have a cut steel in the centre which has been riveted in separately. They would twinkle nicely in the light. The button has a brass basket weave background which is a little different. It measures 3 cm.