Catalog (41)

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...

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.

PLEASE NOTE: W...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

An extremely nice Wedgwood jasperware button depicting Andromache weeping over the ashes of Hector. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and the later mount is hallmarked as silver.

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

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 beautiful set of 6 Art Nouveau studs or buttons, each with a bas relief image of a woman playing a lyre. They bear the hallmarks for Birmingham sterling silver, 1907, and the maker's initials, "R & W". Accompanying the buttons are the sterling silver cross pins that go through the rear loop. All these are housed in the original leather case with velvet lining.

The buttons are 5/8" in diameter, and in excellent condition. There is one cross pin missing. The yellowish cast in the close-up is d...

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.   

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 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.

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. The grayish areas in the sky are clouds or smoke, not toning...

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.

An extremely fine hallmarked 18K gold button featuring a watercolor painting on natural wafer, under glass. Black enamel surrounds the vignette. The scene is very charming, depicting two figures dressed in 18th c attire, appearing to be a man and woman. However, upon closer examination, one notices that the faces and body form are those of children. It seems that the artist was attempting to capture the first blush of young courtship, hence the shy downcast look of the maiden. A wonderful piece....

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...