A striking French button featuring a transfer print on enameled porcelain of a swallow. Brass back and surround. The condition is excellent with no problems, and the diameter is 1 1/4".

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample on what we have, so please do not hesitate to ask if you are looking for a particular type.

Sterling silver thimble molded with Christmas bells and holly. Made in the 1890s by Webster Co, Mass.Webster Co started in 1894 and was later to become part of Reed & Barton. Marked inside with the Webster logotype, Sterling and 9 for the size. This model is reproduced in the standard work on American silver thimbles. Condition: fine.

A Victorian Aesthetic brass dress hem lifter circa 1880. This unusual Victorian design object was made to hold up the hem of a lady's dress. It sounds a little risque, but sometimes you preferred those long skirts not to be near water or mud, as is only sensible. In the Aesthetic design popular at the time (and swans certainly were popular), this solid brass clothing accessory clamps the bottom of the lady's dress with the tongs, which are locked in place by the sliding shield-shaped housing...

A large gin bari button depicting flowers against a green background, the whole with a silver surround and backing. Uncommon hexagonal shape. Excellent condition with no issues, and any apparent imperfections are due to reflections in the photo. The diameter is 1 1/4".

NOTES:
1...

An very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing a classical figure holding an apple, with a cherub reaching for it. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and "63" and the later mount is hallmarked. Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of very large size at 1 11/16"...

An important French button of very large size at 1 1/2". The scene, which is handpainted on paper and under glass, shows the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. At the top of the scene is a banner saying "le Despotisme abatu" (despotism demolished). In addition to the people attacking in the foreground, there are figures rejoicing on the ramparts. Encased in a copper rim and backing.

The condition is excellent, with no issues...

A very fine example of an rare tingue, being of yellow color and cylindrical form. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the main photo, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. The last photo shows this. This fine example has a diameter of 1/4" and a length of 3/8".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top...

A huge stamped silver button with a scarab enameled in green, green shaded with brown, and blue. This is surrounded by pastes set in holes drilled through the silver. Of unusual size and form, the button is shown on color plate 26 of Stefan Schiff's book "Buttons: Art in Miniature".

Excellent condition with no issues. The diameter is 1 11/16".

Two French button lots:

(A) Theatre arts people, Is this Canio or Pierrot? Late 1800s antique French Victorian brass metal picture button marked in back: Paris - Depose - A P & Cie in superb condition! 1 7/16". In the button collecting world known as Canio of Pagliacci. A little softening at the nose where it should be, this 100 years later! 10 grams
(B) French Depose 1 3/8" hand painted porcelain paisley with DEPOSE mark above the self shank: images 4, 5 & 6...

A whimsical swirled enamel sewing kit etui with original blue silk tassel, circa 1930, Made in Germany The brass base etui multicolored in shades of gray, white, blue and red, opens to reveal a tiny sewing kit including thread on a spool with a place for needles under the cap and a brass thimble. Size: 2" long. Overall good condition with the exception of some minor enamel loss.

A large gin bari cloisonne button depicting three snowy egrets against a background with shades of green, the whole with a silver surround and backing. When viewed from the side, the button has an intentionally undulating shape, making it highly unusual. The side is hallmarked and there appear to be other markings. Excellent condition with no issues, and any apparent imperfections are due to reflections in the photo. The diameter is 1 3/8".

NOTES:
1...

A fine example of a plique-a-jour button, all of which are uncommon (see Note 1, below), featuring translucent greenish-blue enamel in a gold metal surround and cells. Excellent condition with no issues. The color of the enamel is actually deeper than shown in the main photo. The diameter is 13/16".

NOTES: 1...

A very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing three women in classical garb with a child astride a sheep. Uncommon for both the scene and the dark blue ground color, rather than the usual Wedgwood blue...

A striking dark green enamel on copper button, dating from the 18th century. There is a central stylized flower, with a central faux pearl with branches emanating from it. Each branch has tiny faux pearls set in it. Circling the flower are two concentric rings of gold stars. To finish off the exquisite and detailed workmanship of this tour de force is a border of faux pearls.

While examples similar to this form can be found, albeit with difficulty, most are blue, and the use of the green c...

A fine example of polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting a woman on a berry picking outing. The front of her dress is picked out with gold flecks, which do not photograph well. This button belongs to the genre which arose due to the interests of the increasingly wealthy French middle class in the places and ways people enjoyed their leisure. Note the buildings in the background, indicating that the activity is taking place outside the bustle of the city.

No condition problem...

A fine example of polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting a couple fishing. This genre arose due to the interests of the increasingly wealthy French middle class in the places and ways people enjoyed their leisure. No condition problems, and the cut steels are brighter in person than the photo shows. 1 3/8" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample on what we ...

Hand painted on natural organic wafer, this button depicts a cherub beside a flame topped memorial column, with greenery along the border. Photos under different lighting are shown, with the second photo probably being the most accurate in natural light.

No condition issues, and a diameter of 1 3/8".

Absolutely charming, and a rare piece.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample o...

A beautifully worked c1890 Japanese repousse tri-color silver button showing an ornate lotus blossom and foliage. Japanese hallmark on the reverse.  1 1/4" diameter and in excellent condition.