Here is a nice group of Celluloid Bubble Top buttons.
They are various sizes and colours but mainly earthy colours. The backs have all been painted black. They are from the 1930’s.
CELLULOID BUTTONS
PAINTED METAL BUTTONS
Although the paintwork is not the best these two buttons are very eye catching.
One has a black border while the centre has a mixture of green, navy, red and white. The other one also has a black border and the centre is grey, red and black with a gold ribbon trim. They are both 3 cm in diameter.
ENAMEL BUTTONS
I do like Enamel buttons. Many were made in the late 19th and early 20th Century of which these are three examples.
The green round button has gold scrolls surrounding some small flowers. The oval one, also green has a floral design and a scalloped border. The square button has red and white background enamel and a nice small floral design which shows up nicely on the white.
BUTTON CARDS
Here are more buttons on their original cards. Actually, one is a buckle.
The art work on them is very appealing and would have been a good advertising tool in their day. I love to have buttons on their original cards. It just adds another dimension to them and can help date them.
HEADS ON BUTTONS
Buttons depicting heads can be very interesting.
This group of buttons are all so different. There is one lady wearing a hat which I think may not be as old as the others. One has a border of cut steels. Another one has a very fancy head dress which must be native to some country of which I do not know. These buttons are all under 1 1/2 cm.
WOODEN BUTTONS
These three wooden are all fairly large, the smallest being 3 cm.
They all have a pattern pressed into them and have been painted black. One is a sew through while the other two have wooden shanks incorporated in the back.
BUTTON SAMPLE CARD
Here is an interesting small Italian sample card of buttons.
They are a bright gold metal (maybe gilded!) with different coloured painted centres.
Part of the writing on the back translates as “Free Sample, Of Modest Value, Unique Colours” I guess the date is 6.10.78.
MOTHER OF PEARL BUTTONS AND BUCKLES
Firstly I show a small MOP buckle and some tiny shanked buttons on their original card.
A large round MOP buckle ( being 6 1/2cm ) is depicted in the second picture as well as some buttons ( some with brass shanks and rings ) . Mother of pearl has been used to make thousands of buttons even to man’s common shirt button.
GLASS PAPERWEIGHT BUTTON
Glass makers can create such great items.
Paperweight buttons are a fine example. This one is a beautiful bright blue with a small bouquet of flowers. It has a metal loop shank inserted into the back. As the name suggests these buttons replicate a glass paperweight.
COLOURFUL BUTTON
What a lovely contrast of colours in this button making it quite stunning.
Orange and purple are good complimentary colours and the yellow outer ( I think it is Celluloid!) is a great foil. I think the centre may be painted brass. It has a japanned back. I really like it.