Button
1800-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Men throughout Europe wore silver buttons with their traditional costume in the 19th century. Silver filigree buttons had been synonymous with rural dress since at least the 16th century. 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. Few women wore decorative silver buttons, but theirs are often the most spectacular.
In the Balkans, silver buttons were worn only by men, with very few exceptions. They were usually fastened with a toggle bar, rather than sewn directly to the garment, and were used to fasten the waistcoat or jacket, for both men and women. These buttons probably come from the Konavli district of Croatia, where they formed part of the bride’s dowry. They were worn in sets of around ten buttons.
In the Balkans, silver buttons were worn only by men, with very few exceptions. They were usually fastened with a toggle bar, rather than sewn directly to the garment, and were used to fasten the waistcoat or jacket, for both men and women. These buttons probably come from the Konavli district of Croatia, where they formed part of the bride’s dowry. They were worn in sets of around ten buttons.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Silver, filigree |
Brief description | Pair of silver filigree toggle buttons, Dalmatia (Croatia), 1800-1900. |
Physical description | Pair of hollow filigree toggle buttons, with waisted oval link and crossover bar. There is a rope of braided wire round the girdle. Decorated back and front with applied granules, with a pyramidal knop on the top. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by B. H. Jackson |
Production | Worn by women |
Summary | Men throughout Europe wore silver buttons with their traditional costume in the 19th century. Silver filigree buttons had been synonymous with rural dress since at least the 16th century. 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. Few women wore decorative silver buttons, but theirs are often the most spectacular. In the Balkans, silver buttons were worn only by men, with very few exceptions. They were usually fastened with a toggle bar, rather than sewn directly to the garment, and were used to fasten the waistcoat or jacket, for both men and women. These buttons probably come from the Konavli district of Croatia, where they formed part of the bride’s dowry. They were worn in sets of around ten buttons. |
Collection | |
Accession number | CIRC.20&A-1951 |
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Record created | April 15, 2003 |
Record URL |
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