Antique Metal Buttons, 1870-1918

  I think antique metal buttons are some of the most beautiful  

buttons in the world.  Many different types of metals were used including silver, gold, steel, brass, copper, aluminum and pewter or several metals were combined on one button. And there are many different types of metal button; stamped. steel cups, twinkle, cut steel,  jewels and many others.  Most military buttons were made out of metal in the eighteen hundreds. 

Stamped Metal Buttons 

  Metal buttons were often made with a cardboard center between the front of the button and the metal back containing the shank.  Giant steam driven presses were used to stamp out thin sheets of metal into varied button designs. The buttons were assembled with a steel back and shank. Sometimes steel cups were used to form the base and other materials were used to fill this cup.  A metal medallion in the shape of  a flower or flower bouquet is often found.

Steel Cup Metal Buttons

  The base of these buttons are cup shaped, to varying degrees. The edge continues to the front of the button to form a rim. The center of the button in the cup can be made of steel, other metals, or something entirely different. The rims are often beautifully formed, and the  centers can have exquisite detail.

 

Twinkle Metal Buttons

  Twinkle buttons are popular with button collectors. These buttons have several layers with a reflective layer of aluminum, silver, or gold on the bottom. The top layer of the button consists of a pierced or filigree metal that allows the 'twinkle' to shine through.  Ladies and gentlemen dining or dancing by candlelight enjoyed the sparkle of these buttons on their elaborate evening attire. 

Metal  and other Material Buttons

   Another type of metal button was the flat steel button.  These buttons were cast as flat disks and later etched and dyed or cast with designs that were later enhanced with gold or paint.  Metal buttons could be adorned with almost any other material.

Jeweled Metal Buttons



  Jewel buttons have a 'stone' in the center that is usually made out of glass.  The glass could be flat, domed, faceted, or cut into many pieces to form a mosaic design.

 

Cut Steel Metal Buttons

 

  Cut steel buttons were popular in the nineteenth century.  They consisted of small cut steel pieces with many facets that were riveted together and used to trim buttons made out of a wide variety of materials, shell, horn and bone.  Originally, steel cut buttons were made to simulate the expensive diamond or marcasite buttons worn by the wealthy but they soon became popular in their own right.  Men often wore large steel cut buttons that flashed in the sunlight as a fashion statement.

  Antique metal buttons can still be found today.  Next time you discover some antique buttons, take a moment to marvel at their workmanship, design, and beauty.

Read about Antique Glass Buttons