Catalog: Popular Collectibles: Specialty: Sewing: Buttons (30)

This beautiful example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a large clear central paste surrounded by 8 shaped green pastes, the whole encircled by clear pastes. The second photo more accurately shows the color of the green pastes. The back of the button is either silver or a base metal. In excellent condition with no issues.

Any whiteness or flecks in the photo are either light reflections or dust.

Provenance: Private purchase from the Speights Button Collection...

A very interesting and charming 1" enameled button showing a young woman with a basket of flowers looking at a butterfly that is about to alight on her hand. The scene is surrounded by an inner brass border. Between that border and the outer one are enameled sections with flowers. The condition is excellent with no problems.

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 enameled button showing a young girl with an elaborate hat and a pink dress with a rose-adorned white jabot. The portrait is surrounded with ruby and white pastes set into openwork brass.

The condition is excellent, with no issues, and the diameter is 1 1/4".

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection...

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...

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.   

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...

A round facetted example of what can best be described as flying saucer shape, as seen from the side. Uncommon transparent red base. 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 1/2" and a thickness of 1/4".

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".

A very uncommon and fine example of a tinque button with a blue base. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the photos, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. This wonderful example has a goodly diameter for a tingue at 7/16" and a depth of 5/16".

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 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 charming button with a beautiful border of champlevé work with a turquoise enamel on brass.

The condition is excellent with no problems and a few errant black dots of paint. 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.

Also, we frequently add items to our site,...

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. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of ...

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.

A fine example of French polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting the cherubic infant Cupid holding a bird. During the Victorian era images of Cupid or cherubs were widespread, symbolizing the romantic and sentimental interests of the time. No condition problems, and the cut steels are brighter in person than the photo shows. 1 1/16" 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 large and beautiful gin bari button showing lotus flowers against a purple background, the whole with a silver surround and backing. Uncommon scalloped 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. Buttons of this type, a pure Japanese creation, were primarily done in the late 19th century, and the subjects display the Japanese elegance and simplicity in depicting nature oriented themes,...

A round facetted example of what can best be described as flying saucer shape, as seen from the side. No condition issues, and with a diameter of 3/8" and a thickness of 5/16".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of reflective gold foil or leaf between them. The button is faceted to improve reflection.

2. Tingues are nam...

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. Buttons of this type, a pure Japanese creation, were primarily done in the late 19th century, and the subjects display the Japanese elegance and simplicity in depicting nature oriented themes, with asymmetr...