Button
1900 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object type
Boxed sets of silver buttons were popular between 1890 and 1910 and made attractive gifts. Some designs depicted classical scenes while others were in the Pre-Raphaelite or Art Nouveau style. Decorative buttons complemented late nineteenth century women's fashions.
Materials and Making
By 1880 new industrial processes and cheap labour meant that manufacturers were able to produce an amazing variety of designs at affordable prices. This was also a period of experimentation and metal was widely used in combination with other materials.
Design and Designing
These buttons were probably quite expensive even though they are not made of solid silver. This is because they would have taken a craftsman a long time to make. Although the relief design has been cast, the metal in between has been pierced out by hand which was a lengthy and skilled process.
Other
T.92 E&F are much smaller and of a different design. They probably do not belong to the same set as T.92 to D -1970, which have the Registered number stamped on the back. T. 92 G is the box. There should be six buttons in the set so one is missing. In 2013 a sixth button was found and kindly donated to the Museum, see Museum no. T.17-2013.
Boxed sets of silver buttons were popular between 1890 and 1910 and made attractive gifts. Some designs depicted classical scenes while others were in the Pre-Raphaelite or Art Nouveau style. Decorative buttons complemented late nineteenth century women's fashions.
Materials and Making
By 1880 new industrial processes and cheap labour meant that manufacturers were able to produce an amazing variety of designs at affordable prices. This was also a period of experimentation and metal was widely used in combination with other materials.
Design and Designing
These buttons were probably quite expensive even though they are not made of solid silver. This is because they would have taken a craftsman a long time to make. Although the relief design has been cast, the metal in between has been pierced out by hand which was a lengthy and skilled process.
Other
T.92 E&F are much smaller and of a different design. They probably do not belong to the same set as T.92 to D -1970, which have the Registered number stamped on the back. T. 92 G is the box. There should be six buttons in the set so one is missing. In 2013 a sixth button was found and kindly donated to the Museum, see Museum no. T.17-2013.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 8 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Red leather case, lined with blue silk and velvet; buttons of silver plate, cast and hand-pierced |
| Brief description | Set of ladies silver buttons in leather case, London, 1900 |
| Physical description | Set of ladies buttons made from silver plate. The buttons are circular with a pierced and relief design of a classical draped figure seated facing right, handing a cup to a small, naked, winged boy (possibly Cupid). The design is surrounded by a Rococo style border. There is a ring on the back which is stamped 'Rd No. 352928'. E & F are two smaller, matching buttons with a stamped, pierced design of rococo swags and a diamond, mesh ground. G is the box in which the buttons are enclosed. It is rectangular and covered with red leather, the lid is lined with padded, blue satin, the base is lined with purple velvet. There is a push button catch. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | The reverse is stamped Rd No.352928 |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The British button industry had expanded rapidly and achieved a prominent position in the world by 1880. Decorative buttons were very popular and made attractive gifts. The scene on these buttons depicts St Cecilia, the patron saint of music, with her harp.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Edith Byfeld Hall |
| Object history | Manufactured by William Comyns and Sons, London |
| Summary | Object type Boxed sets of silver buttons were popular between 1890 and 1910 and made attractive gifts. Some designs depicted classical scenes while others were in the Pre-Raphaelite or Art Nouveau style. Decorative buttons complemented late nineteenth century women's fashions. Materials and Making By 1880 new industrial processes and cheap labour meant that manufacturers were able to produce an amazing variety of designs at affordable prices. This was also a period of experimentation and metal was widely used in combination with other materials. Design and Designing These buttons were probably quite expensive even though they are not made of solid silver. This is because they would have taken a craftsman a long time to make. Although the relief design has been cast, the metal in between has been pierced out by hand which was a lengthy and skilled process. Other T.92 E&F are much smaller and of a different design. They probably do not belong to the same set as T.92 to D -1970, which have the Registered number stamped on the back. T. 92 G is the box. There should be six buttons in the set so one is missing. In 2013 a sixth button was found and kindly donated to the Museum, see Museum no. T.17-2013. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.92 to G-1970 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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