Men throughout Europe wore silver buttons with their traditional costume in the 19th century. Although filigree buttons were the most typical, many countries used buttons made of sheet metal as well. Most European cultures disapproved of male jewellery, but buttons allowed men to show off their wealth and status. They wore them in extravagant numbers, on sleeves and trousers as well as jackets and waistcoats.

Hollow spherical buttons like these were worn by men throughout Central Europe, from Poland to the northern Balkans. They were mainly worn to fasten the waistcoat or jacket. The swirling decoration on the top of these buttons is typical of the Balkan regions which were formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, particularly Bosnia.