Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A Button-Buying Spree

I'm very fond of late 19th century buttons, which were often made by combining various metals in intricately detailed layers. Last weekend I purchased these little gems, and they please me as much as if I were collecting Vermeers. The buttons above are made of cut steel and brass. Such buttons were usually made in two layers, as in the illustration below.

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6 comments:

  1. it is All in the Details, and these little treasures have it All. How extensive is your button collection? pgt

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  2. Hi, Gaye! You are right about the details, which is of course my attraction to these marvelous designs. I often look at old buttons through a loop, and the designs are just as impressive when magnified.

    This is a relatively new collection for me, and it numbers only several hundred. Nonetheless, I buy only what I consider to be unusual designs, and mostly from dealers. Many of my buttons have "gems," cameo-like portraits, and inlays.

    I'll be sharing one of my favorites each month in the sidebar Antique Button of the Month.

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  3. I am sneaking in your home to steal these! They are really good. The colors and ornate designs....love them!

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  4. Hi, Theresa! There's something here for everybody. The design in the upper left looks Art Deco, doesn't it?

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  5. Mark,
    I will scour the Brooklyn Flea for you. There are some large button collections there.

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  6. Thank you, Buoni!! But be careful, you might get hooked!

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