As long as human beings have needed to keep their clothing fastened, buttons have been there to do the work. Buttons can be made out of just about anything, from antlers and bone to glass and ceramics to metals and stone. There are "Diminutive" buttons (less than 3/8" across) and "Large" buttons (greater than 1 1/4" wide), "Old" buttons (pre-1918), and "Modern/Vintage" ones (post-1918). Military buttons are in a class by themselves, with categories for flat buttons made of lead or pewter, two-part convex buttons, and buttons produced for officers. But whatever their material, size, age, or lineage, buttons are fascinating little objects, items that are so utilitarian yet so varied, they just about beg to be collected.

Unlike some collectibles, buttons have very few parts. There is the face of the button, of course, which can be painted, embroidered, or carved. Then there’s the back, which is home to the button’s shank. This is the loop that allows you to attach a button to an article of clothing. Some shanks are built into the button—these are called self shanks. Others have shanks made out of small loops of metal, which are attached to the button in any number of ways. Some buttons have no shanks at all—instead, the button is pierced with two, three, or four holes so it can be sewn directly onto a garment.

One of the earliest forms of buttons were the Satsumas, ceramic buttons from Japan. Named for a historic ceramics center on the southernmost island of Japan, Satsumas were first made in the 17th century by Korean potters. These buttons were often painted in extraordinary detail, depicting miniature scenes from Japanese life and the natural world. The buttons didn’t make their way West until the mid-19th century, which is one reason why Satsumas from the 1800s, and even the early 1900s, are highly collectible...

Brass picture buttons from the Victorian era are also collectible. These charming discs were stamped with images taken from everything from operas to children’s books. In fact, if you wanted to tell the world you were a fan of a work of literature, you’d sew buttons featuring scenes from the novel or story on your coat or shirt. Other picture buttons took their cues from nature (flora and fauna), the sciences (stars and moons), or mythology (cupids and fairies).

Black glass buttons from the Victorian era came next. When the Queen’s husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, the monarch took to wearing black for decades. Much of England mourned with her, prompting a rise in the popularity of black clothing and jewelry. At first, black buttons were made out of jet, a fossilized coal found near Whitby, England. But jet was very expensive, so black glass was used as a replacement.

Some black glass buttons were molded to create reliefs of plants and animals, or even detailed pictorials. Sometimes the buttons appeared to mimic fabrics; other times they were given a silver or iridescent luster to imitate needlework or crochet. Some black glass buttons were faceted while others were painted or enameled.

Another collectible type of glass button hails from Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. Between the wars, glass artisans made buttons in styles ranging from Art Deco to "realistics," which were buttons shaped like the objects they depicted. After World War II, Bohemian glassblowers produced so-called "moonglow" buttons, which had opaque bases and clear glass faces. Because it was dominated by the Soviets at that time, most of these post-war buttons were produced for export to Russia rather than the West, as evidenced by the button cards bearing Cyrillic script.

From the late 1800s through the 1920s, celluloid buttons were all the rage. Then came the Bakelite buttons, which were common in the United States from the 1920s through the 1940s. Bakelite buttons were sometimes carved and then embellished with a metal escutcheon in the shape of an animal or a plant. Others were decorated with glass sequins or costume jewels. The so-called "cookie" buttons were made out of long sections of laminated Bakelite that were then sliced into wafers, each one of which revealed a cross section of the lamination. Other types of Bakelite buttons were reverse carved and then dyed or painted from the back.

Of course, these types of buttons just begin to scratch the rich surface of this tiny collectible. Some collectors specialize in buttons in the Art Deco style, while others like the more modern look of Lucite. Still others collect based on themes—cats, dragons, Oriental imagery, famous men and women, etc.

Particularly noteworthy are the enamel buttons from the 19th and 20th centuries. Cloisonné buttons were the most difficult to produce because the process demanded that tiny threads of wire be soldered to a base. The resulting cavities were then filled with enamel and the button was fired. Champlevé enamel buttons were no less beautiful but they are generally less expensive to collect because the process of removing material from the button’s surface to create the holes for the enamel was easier to accomplish.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

The Animal Motif in Buttons

The ancestor of the modern button was a crude object, carved by prehistoric man from one of the bones of his kill and probably use… [more]

First New York Regiment Buttons

American military buttons of the eighteenth century are comparatively rare, and the two recently acquired New York State Militia b… [more]

Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack on Singers and Manhattans

I work for a sewing machine distribution company that was started by my late father. We mainly distribute industrial sewing machin… [more]

Angry Chicken's Amy Karol on Sewing, Vintage Slips, and Her Apron Obsession

I think I started collecting vintage aprons seriously probably in 1991, my first year of college. I was an absolute junkie for vin… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Sewing Machine Collector

Sewing Machine Collector

Geoff and Norma Dickens' reference site on vintage toy sewing machines from the late 1800s. Browse the images alpha… [read review or visit site]

Sensibility Vintage Images

Sensibility Vintage Images

An extensive collection of photos and ephemera illustrating changing fashion styles from 1795 to 1959. Includes por… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Sewing

Other Great Reference Sites: Sewing

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 973 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Chanel Paris Cc Logo Lot Of 6 38mm X 38mm Rhinestone Crystals Deco Buttons #18Chanel Paris Cc Lot Of 12 White Black Gold Enamel Raised 15.5mm Buttons #a9Vintage Satsuma Ware Buttons Set Of SixAntique Art Nouveau Silver Repousse Victorian Lady Large Sewing ButtonCollection Of Vintage Buttons & Buckles On Cards - Good Variety7.5 Lbs Of Vintage Buttons, Celluloid, Bakelite, Mop, Rhinestone, Metal, In Tins4 Lbs Antique//victorian /vintage Buttons New England Estate Sale Mixed Lot! 17 Gorgeous Antique Diminutive Jeweled & Enamel Buttons R44Lot Of Amazing Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 170Chanel Paris Cc Logo Lot Of 9 23mm Gold On White Buttons #18Lot Of Amazing Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 171Chanel Paris Cc Logo Lot Of 12 23mm Gold On Black Buttons #17Handkerchief Bird Button*old*spectacular Scarce Lg Brass & Enamel W/flowers & Rim Of Cut Steels ButtonVintage Lot Of 7 Authenic Chanel ButtonsChanel Auth Cc Logo Resin Buttons 18mm - Set Of 3Antique Enamel Button Lot #21 - Pink And Red Pinwheel - Commas And FeathersAntique Enamel Button #22 - Pierced Multicolor Shamrocks - Cathedral WindowLot Of Very Nice Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 193 Beautiful Antique Estate " Hand Holding Cut Steel Bouquet" Tinted Brass ButtonAustralia Map Novelty Silver Antique Button Hook 1913Amazing 1850's Opaline Glass Waistcoat Button W/ Bird Tallon Claw Setting R85Seven Carhartt Brand Overall Buttons, All HeartsAntique Vintage Button Lot Shoebox Filled With Bakelite Wood Glass Metal EstateVintage Very Old Large 1.50" Burwood Or Syroco Compressed Wood Button Extra Large-old-japanese Satsuma Button-handpainted-gold Gilt-unusual Type ShankExtra Large-old-japanese Satsuma Button-handpainted-gold Gilt-unusual Type ShankExtra Large-old-japanese Satsuma Button-handpainted-gold Gilt-unusual Type ShankExtra Large-old-japanese Satsuma Button-handpainted-gold Gilt-unusual Type ShankSterling Silver Coin Button Lot Indian Head Pennies Buffalo Nickels Mercury DimeGorgeous Lot Of Sparkling Victorian Black Glass Buttons R287 Antique 19th Century Lithograph Portrait ButtonsOld French Metal Button 2 Terrier Dogs Playing W/ A Toy RabbitRare 19th Century English Essex Crystal Hunt Waistcoat Button W/"fox's Head" Extra Large-old-japanese Satsuma Button-handpainted-gold Gilt-unusual Type ShankLot Of Perfect Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 206Beautiful Set Of 9 Purple/plum Coco Chanel Buttons - Mint! Brass Winking Dog Button 1-1/2",Vintage Antique Buttons LotLot Of Very Nice Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 192Lot Of Amazing Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons J 124*old*magnificent Large Brass/enamel With Campleve Edge And Floral Center ButtonVintage 1930's Burwood Buckle Acorns & Oak Leaves - 6 Buttons Original Cards!!Lot Of Very Nice Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 245Lot Of Very Nice Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons J 119Lot Of Perfect Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 20512 !!! Chanel Gold Metal Buttons Logo Very Pretty Raised CcVintage Bethlehem Pearl Button Pierced Flying Dove Design Lg SzVintage Coco Chanel Cc Lot Of 10 Gold Metal Black Buttons Womens Jewelry LooseAntique Leo Popper Clam Broth & Mint Green Glass Button W/sterling Silver FoilHuge Vintage Button Lot Mixed Glass Rhinestones Metal Over 150+ All Stunning!!!Chanel Paris Cc Logo Lot Of 6 16mm Silver High Textured Buttons #969Antique..vintage.sewing Buttons..lotAntique Brass Button Detailed Owl In A Bell Tower Design 1 & 3/16"Lot Of Very Nice Hand Made Czech Rhinestone Buttons V 274Marion Weeber Celluloid Calla Lily Button R74Wonderful Antique Brass Rimmed China Button R14Antique Celluloid Ivory Button, Fox & GrapesVintage Chanel Cc Quilted Mini Bag Metal Gold Buttons Pendant Necklace Vintage Lot Of 6 Cc Coco Chanel Gold Pearl Big Cc Loose Buttons Women Jewelry