In Russia in the 17th century men and women wore long gowns, fastened down the front by dozens of buttons. In the 18th century, traditional Russian dress was increasingly replaced by western fashions, but continued in wear among the conservative rural population. They continued to use buttons of 17th century style until the early 20th century, sometimes worn on their clothing, but increasingly hung as pendants on necklaces or chains.

Russian traditional buttons are all ovoid or spherical, and come in a great variety of shapes, sizes and patterns. This button is very similar to buttons from Sweden and Lapland, but the little pyramid of granules on the top is not found on Nordic buttons. In style it is 17th century, but it is more likely to have been made in the 19th century.