By the 14th century buttons were worn as ornaments and fastenings from the elbow to the wrist and from the neckline to the waist. The wearing of gold, silver, and ivory buttons was an indication of wealth and rank. Expensive buttons were also made of copper and its alloys.
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The Indus Valley Civilisation are credited with the invention of the button and the earliest one we have in existence today dates from around 2000BCE and is made from a curved shell. The first buttons were used as ornamental embellishments to a person’s attire and signified wealth or status.
In Europe, close-fitting clothes became stylish among nobles and royalty, and buttons were used to help the garments fit more snugly around the wearer. By the 13th and 14th century, buttons were widespread throughout Europe. In 16th century France, button makers’ guilds started to appear.
The oldest button was found in the Mohenjo-daro region in the Indus Valley, now known as modern day Pakistan. It is estimated to be around 5000 years old, with a decorative flat face that fits into a loop, and is primarily made out of curved shell.
No buttons were found but the existence of button holes and the subsequent wear patterns would indicate that they were used on the garment.
1300, “knob or ball attached to another body,” especially as used to hold together different parts of a garment by being passed through a slit or loop (surname Botouner “button-maker” attested from mid-13c.), from Old French boton “a button,” originally “a bud” (12c., Modern French bouton), from bouter, boter “to
Old Metal Buttons
Most vintage metal buttons were made from brass or copper. Sterling, Gold or Pewter buttons were much less common. Some metal buttons were ornamental and some were embossed with patterns or pictures. One of the most sought after metal buttons is any brass picture button from the Victorian era.
Lacey glass, both that of the pressed tableware fame and look-alikes, was produced from 1825 to 1870, primarily for women’s clothing. In 1840, milk glass buttons, simple utilitarian two to four hole sew through styles of opaque white pressed glass, began to replace brass and gilt buttons in men’s wear.
Buttonholes are a slit or hole in fabric that can hold a button, and normally as a result, hold two pieces of fabric together.
In the beginning, the push-button telephone was not exactly a big success story. On November 15, 1976, the Deutsche Bundespost introduced the device to the public, and it was officially launched in early 1977.
This is a one piece metal button, which archaeologists often refer to as “flat disc” buttons. One piece buttons were often made of copper alloys. This particular example is cast tombac as denoted by the “grey” coloration seen below the corrosion on the button face.
Prior to the emergence of plastic materials, metal was obviously the most commonly used material for the manufacture of ancient buttons. Except in very rare cases, metal alloys were used and the most frequent f these were copper alloys such as brass and tumbago, iron alloys such as steel, and aluminium alloys.
Pewter, the familiar metal of the age, was used to make molded or stamped-out buttons, but these were scorned by the wealthy. Cast brass buttons, particularly calamine brass, with ornamental and distinguishing designs, also became popular on both military and civilian dress.
Before buttons were used for fastening, pins, leather lacing and belts were used to secure clothing. Before buttons could be used as fasteners, the button hole had to be devised.
What should you not wear to a Renaissance Faire?
DON’T dress as a pirate!, Trekkie, mermaid, elf, unless its’ that kind of Renaissance Faire. Some California Faires and elsewhere mix fantasy themes. Others stick to a time period like the Elizabethan Era, so check the website.
“Wealthy women back then did not dress themselves — their lady’s maid did. Since most people were right-handed, this made it easier for someone standing across from you to button your dress.” Fancy! The tradition has stuck and women’s shirts today, including Moore’s, place buttons on the left side.
button. Drug slang. A regional term for mescaline. Radiation safety. A hockey puck-like mass of plutonium nitrate which is a starting material for bomb-grade plutonium.
“Cute as a button” originated in the United States, as did “bright as a button” and “cute as a bug’s ear.” Since both of those other phrases were well established in U.S. English at the time that “cute as a button” emerged, I think it isn’t at all far-fetched to suggest that “cute as a button” may be the product of a
10 Rarest and Most valuable Antique Buttons
| No. | Antique Button | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Enamel & 18K Gold Cuff Buttons | Between 1819 and 1838 |
| 2. | 9ct Yellow Gold Golf Buttons | 1910 |
| 3. | Men Fox Buttons with Ruby Eye | 1900 |
| 4. | Sterling Silver Buttons | 1904 |
Are Antique Buttons Valuable? Some antique buttons are valuable, but most sell for less than $50. However, if you suspect you have a rare antique button, it may be worth much more. Some rare examples go for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Shank buttons are buttons without holes through the top. They have a shank underneath to sew the button onto the garment. A shank button is a great option for jackets and thicker material or for a decorative finish making the button raised on the garment.