Victorian picture button, showing the story of Swiss folk hero, William Tell. Legend says that a local tyrant, Gessler, had decreed that everyone should bow in passing to his hat. William Tell and his son refused, and were taken prisoner but could be freed if Tell could shoot an arrow, and hit an apple balanced on his son’s head. The button shows the little boy on the left with the apple on his head, Gessler’s hat on a pole in the centre, and William Tell with crossbow on the right. Not a large button but such a lot of detail. Two-part construction with grey metal back and metal loop shank. Slight age related wear to the back as shown. A rare collectible.

Size 11/16” (1.7 cm)