Antique button with mother of pearl base, claw-set in a metal rim, embellished with a metal insect and surrounded by a paste border. The insect (or spider) has two molded metal wings, 4 metal wire legs, and paste stones for the body, and head. (Obviously he is missing some legs). The insect is joined to the pearl by a rivet which shows on the back, under the bar. The paste rim is complete though some of the stones look darker and are possibly replacements, or may just need a delicate clean. This is how I found it. The back rim has a bar across which bears the loop shank. An unusual, quite rare, collectable button.

Size 1.1” (2.9 cm)

Small vintage/antique button with a pressed and pierced metal border. The centre has a small dome of opaline glass (or possibly saphiret?) with flashes of orange in pale blue glass. Metal loop shank. Pretty and collectable.

Size 5/8” (1.6 cm)

Blue silk covered button, machine embroidered with “ER” in a shield, under a crown, surrounded by laurel wreath. Canvas (or paper?) covered back is covered in paper, printed: F CHAPMAN - RISING SON, 120 EUSTON ROAD. Two pronged shank which can be inserted through a button hole and bent open like a split pin, to secure. Probably made for the coronation in 1953, perhaps sold or given to customers of the Rising Son, a well-known heritage pub in North London (now renamed as The Rocket)

Size 1.2” (3 cm)

Vintage bright yellow glass button, with painted image of a teddy bear. Self shank. Wear to the aint work as shown.

Size 3/4” (1.8 cm)

Stamped silver button, with wonderful design of a roaring dragon or mythical beast. Full English hallmarks: maker’s initials L&S, lion for sterling silver, date letter “z” for 1899 and anchor for Birmingham Assay office. The marks are very small and a bit rubbed but still visible.

Size 1.1” (2.9 cm)

Antique livery button, with image of a pig, silver plated on copper or brass. Fixed stud type shank. Backstamped FIRMIN & SONS LTD, LONDON. The lettering is half hidden under the shank and the back looks almost black. I have not attempted to clean it.

Size 1” (2.6 cm)

Antique black glass button with raised shiny black scrolls over a matt background in the centre. Plain black glass back with two-way metal box shank and thread groove.

Size 1.1” (2.7 cm)

Square facetted glass buttons, sharply cut in the Art Deco style, with a very sparkly effect. Tunnel shank. Price is per button.

Size 13/16” (2.1 cm diagonally

Lovely antique French mother of pearl button, pinkish tone, decorated with incised leaf design, carved intaglio, and highlighted with gold paint. Brass rim and grey metal back with wire bridge shank over a single thread groove. Backstamped: A P & CIE, PARIS. Slight touch of rust on the back

Size 1.1” (2.7 cm)

Small vintage/antique waistcoat button, with image of a painted sailing boat under a clear glass dome. Brass rim and back, with metal loop shank.

Size 9/16” (1.4 cm)

Vintage white glass buttons with raised molded image of a Scottie dog, details highlighted in silver lustre. Self shank. These are made of “uranium” glass which glows green under a UV light (see last photo). Slight age related wear, rubbing to the lustre etc but still attractive buttons. Price is per button.

Size 3/4” (1.8 cm)

Vintage brown glass buttons, with polychrome painted rim. Self shank. Very pretty. Price is per button

Size 11/16” (1.7 cm)

Antique silver buttons, with stamped silver image of a seated figure among scrolls. Hallmarked on the back: maker’s initials L&S, anchor for Birmingham Assay office, lion for sterling silver and date letter “a” for 1900. Price is per button

Sze 3/4” (1.9 cm)

19th century Mauchline ware wooden button with printed image of Dunkeld Cathedral. Fixed stud type shank. The back also has a printed inscription: DUNKELD. C McLEOD PUBLISHER. From the 1860’s, the area around Mauchline, in Scotland, had many small factories producing small wooden souvenirs for the tourist trade - all kinds of items such as snuff boxes and sewing and writing ephemera - always beautifully made and frequently with a printed image of a tourist destination. Buttons were not very common. Scottish views were typical, after Queen Victoria made Scotland a popular destination, and railways made travel more accessible. So this is an interesting and nice quality item a bygone age.

Size 1.2” (3 cm)

Vintage ceramic button, oval shape, with lovely shiny turquoise glaze, darker in the middle. Metal loop shank inserted directly into the back.

Size 7/8” (2.2 cm)

Set of 6 small Victorian metal buttons, Austrian tiny type. These are all different designs, in shades of green. Includes a pearlised centred one with green celluloid rim, a tiny shamrock “stick up” in green, one with green velvet background, and various gilt metal motifs on green backgrounds. All as shown. All have the usual domed metal back with metal loop shank. Price is for the group of 6.

Sizes from 3/8” - 7/16” (1 - 1.1 cm)

Antique champleve enamel button, with two shades of green enamel surrounding two white enamel panels, overpainted with pink roses. Gilt metal back and loop shank. Backstamped: P & B, PARIS. Very pretty

Size 13/16” (2 cm)