Buttonsplus

This metal picture button depicts two children sitting on a wall looking at snails. They are characters from a poem written and illustrated by Kate Greenaway in England. It is called Miss Patty and Master Paul. She had several books published in the late 1800s. This particular drawing was from her book “Under the Window” There were several buttons made during this time depicting her characters. One set of four were also made showing the four seasons.

I was thrilled to find this button of mine featured on a garment in a photo in a National Button Bulletin a few years ago. The garment is a three piece silk suit from 1900 – 1906 in an ecru colour. The button shows a few flowers and the scrolly lines of the Art Nouveau period are in green edged in gold. It is quite pretty.

Here are some fabric covered buttons with matching buckle in a floral design. A home dressmaker probably made them to match a dress she was making. They may have been shop made with the left over pieces of fabric. It was a common thing to do back in the 1940s and 1950s.

Here are three more Celluloid Back buttons each in neutral shades. The metal work varies greatly making them quite different. I wonder what type of garment these buttons were used on? They couldn’t be washed as they have cardboard inside so would have to be removed for that purpose. I guess the garments back then were not washed very often, maybe just sponge cleaned.

Here are three Celluloid Back or Victorian Celluloid buttons from my collection. I like this type of button both for the varying colours and textures of the celluloid and also for the different metal surrounds. They have a japanned back and metal loop shank.

Here is a group of Lithograph buttons each having a portrait; all men bar one. They have various borders giving them a different look. I have had these buttons for quite some time and now have a few more in my collection.

These ceramic buttons were made in South Africa under the name Incomparable. They are animals made in a very simplistic way and that is their charm. I guess they would be more suitable for a craft project than for a garment and are just a bit of fun.

I think these nine glass buttons are waistcoat buttons from the early 1900s. They have a long loop shank with a six segment rosette back. They are individual designs but you would have been able to buy a set of six or more back then.

These two modern buttons are made from Coconut Shell and have been enamelled in strong colours with a simple white flower design. Is it actually enamel or paint with several layers of clear gloss applied? They are a common design and I have several smaller ones in different colours. They were readily available in the shops a few years ago but I have just acquired these.

Here is a little group of buttons that are new to my collection. They were acquired from a friend and they vary in age, material and design. Some old plastic, new plastic, glass and shell. The orange one in the middle has a mother of pearl centre. The black and white checked one is plastic and a little different. They are just keeps and not necessarily carding material. I have many in that catagory. They are still part of fashions of the day.