Catalog (41)

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". The metal surround is not lopsided as shown in the photo, which was taken at a slight angle.

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

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. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and "255" with a later mount, which is not uncommon.

Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of a very large size at 1 5/8".

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

A true tour de force of the use of pastes in buttons. This fine example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a sprig of flowers in a circlet mounted on cobalt glass. Visible beneath the glass is guillochet worked metal. 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 reflection or dust.

Provenance: Private purchase from the Speights Button Collection.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons...

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 fine and rare 18th century English button with a hand painted scene on paper under glass depicting 5 blacks working in the field. The button is vermeil, gold on silver, with the back showing English hallmarks. Excellent condition, with no issues. The button is 1" by 13/16".

A large button, done in watercolor on organic material, with a glass cover and a copper rim with a steel back. The scene depicted is of a grand house and garden, identified along the lower edge as "Maison de Mdm Vanne".

The button is in excellent condition, though the back could use a bit of cleaning to remove some oxidation. The diameter is 1 1/2".

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

A charming miniature portrait, done in watercolor on natural wafer, and mounted in a later 14K gold ring with an impressed maker's mark of "MP". The sitter is a young red-haired child, facing left, and wearing a black dress with a dotted lace ruffled collar.

The ring size is 6 1/2, and the portrait measures 1 1/16" by 7/8". The condition of the portrait, as well as the ring, is excellent. The line near the left edge and along the top edge is due to refraction and does not appear when viewed in...

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 very early and rare miniature, enamel on copper, done circa 1690-1700 by Peter Boy the Elder (1651-1727). The sitter is Johann Wilheim II. He was Elector Palatine (1658–1716) of the Wittelsbach dynasty and was Duke of Neuburg (1690–1716), Duke of Jülich and Berg (1679–1716), and Duke of Upper Palatinate and Cham (1707–1714). From 1697 onwards Johann Wilhelm was also Count of Megen. Clearly a busy and well titled fellow.

The miniature is in its original gold mount on a 19th c...

A charming first half 19th centrury miniature of a young woman. The exceptional thing about this piece is the wonderful high karat gold flip case with guilloche work (engine turning) on the front and back. The painting in this little gem is 1 1/8" in diameter and the case is 1 1/2" in diameter. Excellent condition.

A beautiful and unusual Art Deco ring, marked 18K gold. The central section has a stylized floral motif, with the leaves, petals, and central section with diamonds. This section is against a background of blue enamel over a guilloche substrate, enabling a wonderful depth and scintillating appearance. Surrounding the central section is a border of diamonds.

This stunning piece of craftsmanship has no condition issues, with all original diamonds, and no restoration to the metalwork. The top of t...

A beautiful American ring, marked 14K gold, set with a large central pearl surrounded by 12 deep blue sapphires. Excellent condition with a ring size of 7 3/4.

This beautiful bracelet, marked 14K, features blue guilloche work, a gold filigree area with 2 small moonstones and a large central one surrounded by 11 sapphires and 2 garnets. A stunning piece with beautiful craftsmanship.

The inside of the bracelet measures 2 1/4" across and 1 7/8" high. Excellent condition with no issues.

A beautiful 18K gold ring containing a miniature portrait of a pretty young girl wearing a bicorn hat. The painting is surrounded with authentic seed pearls.

The condition of the painting itself, and the ring, is excellent. The blue section showing in the photo of the underside is a bit of tape that was used to allow a snugger fit for the finger of a previous owner. The front of the ring measures 1 1/8" by 7/8". The ring is a size 7 1/2.

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. Buttons of this type, a pure Japa...

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 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. Plique-à-jour (French for "letting in daylight") is a vitreous enamelling technique where the enamel is applied in cells, similar to cloisonné, but with no backing in the final pr...

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.