Rendered in an “en grisaille” type of enamel work highlighted with gilt, a young couple is attended by a winged putto. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#2 Brass Bear with Purse
A curious bear is preoccupied with discovering what is within the wallet or purse he is holding. The high-relief brass bear is against a fanciful trefoil design. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#3 Ivory Egg with Tiny Chick Inside
This small ivory egg unscrews near the top to reveal a tiny carved ivory chick with black eyes inside. Brass loop shank with plate. There is a bit of nicking along the upper rim where the egg joins. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#4 Square Floral Mosaic
Tiny glass tesserae form this colorful floral mosaic with a border of aqua tesserae within the delicate roped outer border on the brass rim and mount. Brass loop on post shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#5 Glass Bear with Bouquet
A cute realistic teddy bear in frosted glass holds a floral bouquet. This may be a Julie Clinton creation. Glass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#6 Hallmark Silver Portrait
A lovely woman’s portrait with upswept hairdo is framed by a delicately scrolled irregular border on this hallmark silver. Designer’s mark TW is on the front. Reverse is hallmarked with maker’s mark, Birmingham city marks, and date mark of 1902. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#7 Enamel Butterfly
An extra-large Italian enamel of a realistic shape butterfly. Two sparkling rhinestones embellish the marbleized colored wings. U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#8 Deluxe Pearl Portrait
A beautifully carved portrait with much detail of a woman in Renaissance costume is carved from dark front down to the white background. Claw-set in gilt brass with cut steel border. Loop shank on the gilt reverse. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#9 The Goose Girl Story Button
A scarce button of “The Goose Girl” from Grimm’s fairy tales in pierced and tinted brass against a shiny tinted back. BBB 199-17. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#10 Discovery of Moses
An elaborate pierced brass scene of the baby Moses floating in a cradle on the river among the bulrushes while two female figures, the Pharaoh’s daughter and Miriam, watch nearby. Another version of this button is shown BBB PL 247-3. Elongated brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#11 Terrier Head Carved Shell
A terrier dog’s head is beautifully carved with much detail on this highly iridescent turbo (green snail) shell button. Swaged brass loop and plate shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#12 Gourd Shaped Bimini
Amber Bimini glass in the shape of a gourd. Bimini backplate backmarked MADE IN ENGLAND with flowerpot logo. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#13 Victorian Glass Plate
Victorian milk glass in the design of a plate with painted purple rims and a blue and yellow painted posy border. Four-way brass shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#14 Glass Pansy
A fused-glass pansy by studio artist Kay Ferguson. The black glass with yellow fused center has a metallic surface treatment and hand-painted detail. Applied shank. Signed “Kay 2010.” Est. selling price is $10-30.
#15 Reverse Painted Giraffe in Silver
Reverse painted glass scene features a giraffe in a desert setting. The glass is mounted in a silver rim and back. By studio artist Cindy Tsubaki. Signed by the artist, CST 01, with STERLING backmark. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#16 Carved Turtle
A turtle cameo carved in wonderful detail on this ivory disk from the 19th century. Black pigment accentuates the eye and texturing. Carved self shank with thread grooves. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#17 Dragon on Bakelite
A ferocious silvered Dragon with a nouveau styled curled tail is mounted on carved black bakelite. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#18 Warrior Transfer Porcelain
A large polychrome transfer on porcelain depicts a handsome classic warrior’s portrait in helmet and with beard. Striking with the gilt coloring and unusual magenta border. Mounted in brass rim and back. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#19 Carved Pearl Battle Axe
Great button for an object tray is this carved oyster pearl battle axe head mounted on a dish shaped smoky pearl disk. Four-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#20 18th C. Moth
A medium size 18th C. en grissaille painting on ivory of a moth or butterfly under glass. The condition of the painting seems good, however, the glass shows reverse surface crazing, though the front side is smooth. Mounted in copper rim and back. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#21 Salt Overlay Swirlback
A small and scarce Div. I black glass swirlback with salt overlay in beautiful condition. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#22 Pearl in Silvered Metal
A large carved dark pearl with silvered inner border and silvered double outer border. Quality button with heavy elongated shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#23 Cameo Pearl Portrait with Pastes
A large and deluxe beautifully carved cameo pearl of a woman’s portrait. Openwork brass mount with paste border. Brass wire U shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#24 18th C. Grisaille Painting
A large 18th C. en grissaille painting on ivory depicts a classical draped woman approaching a flaming pillar. Under glass with copper rim and iron reverse. Copper U shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#25 Composition Camel Driver
A medium and scarce molded composition button depicting a man in a turban leading a camel. Palm trees and an onion dome building are in the background. A horn version is shown BBB PL 3-3. Self shank with thread grooves. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#26 Painted Floral Velvetback
Pierced floral brass design with painted white and green coloring is backed with brown velvet. Japanned reverse with self hump shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#27 Amber Lacy
Pretty Div. I amber colored lacy glass with a seven petal flower center design. PATENT backmark on the reverse with molded self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#28 Joan Hears the Voices by Bargas
This French white metal button with an unusual linear shape commemorates the moment when 13-year-old Joan of Arc heard voices she believed were Archangel Michael and Saints Margaret and Catherine, who set her on the course that changed French history. It is signed on the front by A. Bargas, a French artist active during the latter part of the 19th century. He was a medal engraver, artist and designer whose work was always of the highest standard. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400. (revised description)
#29 Silver Overlay Glazed Porcelain
A fabulous Div. I green glazed porcelain with art nouveau silver resist overlay design. The clear glazed reverse shows a silver overlay line across the full width and an area circling and covering the self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#30 Dyed Carved Pearl Butterfly
A butterfly flits above a floral garland on this dyed carved pearl with gilt accent. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#31 Mexican Silver with Amethyst
An attractive silver from Mexico with center amethyst cabochon bezel-set on a drum-shaped disc decorated with a modified quatrefoil design. Backmark SILVER MEXICO with silver U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#32 Lavender Glass Quintet
Five Div. I lavender glass buttons including coronet, metal embedded, pinshank with paste, intermixed pudding and foil-base paperweight. Four are swirlbacks. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#33 Sunset with Heart Border
A sunset above the ocean is engraved on this pewter center framed by the brass heart design border. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#34 Deluxe Portrait with Paste Border
This exquisite button features a portrait painted on ivory of a young Renaissance man sporting a red feathered hat. The portrait is mounted under glass with gilt rim and star-shaped spoked paste border. Gilt reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#35 Art Nouveau Portrait
Gilt metal portrait of a lovely lady in Art Nouveau style. Loop shank on the gilt reverse. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#36 Tintype Portrait
A remarkably clear tintype portrait of a young woman or girl. Her ringleted hair is adorned with a rose and scarf and she holds a theatrical mask in her hand, as if she has just moved it away from her face. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#37 Gay 90’s Lavender Jewel
Triangular shaped large faceted lavender jewel is set in silvered brass with three floral branch motifs surrounding the jewel. Metal U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#38 Deluxe Royal Portrait
This deluxe portrait painted on ivory features an Elizabethan collared woman wearing a crown. This could be a likeness of Queen Elizabeth I. The portrait is mounted under glass with brass rim and border of brilliants. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#39 Mona Lisa Verbal
A large openwork brass with a center medallion featuring a verbal Mona Lisa portrait. The brass design is embellished with cut steels. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#40 Lavender Colt Rouge
A medium two-part amino resin button made as a novelty for only a short time in the 1940’s by the Colt Firearm Company. The screw-top container is decorated with a molded, cameo-style head in a rare lavender color. The inside of the black container shows PAT. PENDING, 15, COLT. The underside of the lavender top has the number 237. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#41 Weeber Seed Packet
A cute and scarce Marion Weeber celluloid design of a cucumber seed packet. Applied celluloid shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#42 Silver Jubilee Commemorative
A large verbal commemorative of Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. The lithograph transfer features the Queen and the Prince Philip in an oval scalloped openwork brass mount. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#43 Green Gay 90’s
This Victorian Gay 90’s button features a faceted diamond-shape green jewel mounted in a pierced brass design embellished with cut steels. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#44 Plique a Jour Rabbit Enamel
A triangular modern plique a jour enamel features a white bunny nestled within the green and mauve design. Brass wire U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#45 Battersea Mucha Lady
A large pewter realistic of an Art Nouvea Mucha styled portrait of the upper half of a woman holding several large fronds. Backmarked ©BATTERSEA 2009 FINE PEWTER with founder’s head shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#46 Multi-Floral Carved Ivory
A multitude of blooms in fine detail decorates this old carved ivory disc from the 19th century. Carved rounded hump self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#47 Silver Fairy with Enamel
Nouveau style silver featuring a fairy with silver jeweled embellished wings and a background of turquoise glass, a later addition. Backmarked STERLING with silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#48 Ruskin Ceramic
An unmarked Ruskin ceramic with Ruskin’s signature crystalline glaze with a beautiful ice crystal effect. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#49 Enamel Butterfly
A large silvered copper button sports a colorful enamel butterfly against a striking black ground. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#50 Poppy and Pansy Enamels
Two 19th C. enamel buttons include a medium Art Nouveau openwork poppy design and a small and sweet emaux peints pansy with scrolled border. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#51 Aluminum Dogwood Blossom
A medium aluminum button picturing a dogwood blossom. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#52 Glass Petal Jewel
Translucent glass with molded veined leaf design forms the petals of this modern jewel. A center faceted pink rhinestone is claw-set in the brass mount. Metal loop shank on the attached cupped brass plate. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#53 Mucha Portrait Enamel
A fabulous Art Nouveau enamel featuring a portrait of a woman’s head based on work by the late 19th century artist Alphonse Mucha. Shown BBB PL 231-7. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#54 Early Engraved Rose
A magenta colored rose bloom, buds, stem and foliage is beautifully engraved on this late 18th or early 19th C. ivory disc. Carved ivory shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#55 Pearl Pansy with Paste
A lovely iridescent gray oyster pearl carved in the realistic shape of a pansy bloom and embellished with a faceted claw-set center paste. Swaged brass two-way shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#56 Copper Tree Overlay PW
An attractive paperweight featuring a painted copper tree overlay. Frosted glass softens the turquoise and teal under-colors over a white base. Copper wire U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#57 Art Nouveau Summer Portrait
A medium silvered metal with an art nouveau female head design framed by a flowing pierced border design accentuated with brilliants. This is Summer from a set of four season designs. A similar version is shown BBB PL 215-2. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#58 Bakelite Lily Pad with Flower
An extra large and chunky carved black bakelite of a stylized lily pad mounted with a high-relief carved flower. There is one small nick on the edge. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#59 Engraved Metal Over Pearl
A gorgeous iridescent gray oyster pearl features a pierced silvered and gilt tinted metal overlay with a sunflower design. Foliage forms the border design. Swaged loop and plate shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#60 Atlee Elephant and Moon
A whimsical painted baby elephant sits upon the crescent Man-in-the-Moon on this charming studio by Sara Atlee. The artwork is mounted on a vintage polyester button. Signed Atlee 95, 2/10. Applied brass plate with cut-out shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#61 Palmer Cox Brownie
Palmer Cox was a Canadian author and illustrator, best known for “The Brownies”, humorous verse books and comic strips about the mischievous but kindhearted fairy-like sprites. Here is one of his Brownies in pierced brass against a striped tinted and wallpaper patterned mirror background. Pad shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#62 Early Fabric Duo
A medium and a large silk embroidery on linen fabric buttons from the early 19th or late 18th century. The medium was formed over a wooden mold, while the large button has a padded center. The outer border on the large button is wound silk thread over an inner ring of unknown material. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#63 Watering the Roses
This one-piece pewter depicting a young child or Putti watering a rose bush under a flowery arbor was the California show button in 1998. Backmarked CSBS ‘98, K.B., ZRC© with a heavy U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#64 Gnomes’ Treasure
A scarce medium brass picturing two gnomes with one holding aloft a tray of jewels and other treasure. Shown BBB PL 186-8. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#65 Shibayama Butterfly
A small and exquisite shibayama butterfly in ivory. The butterfly’s wings are inset with tiny pieces of coral and jade, while the body of the insect is shell. Very scarce in this small size. Tunnel shank on the reverse. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#66 Satin Glass Rose in Bakelite
A large and lovely sky blue satin glass rose set in mottled bakelite. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#67 Silver Teardrop Lacy
A Div. I clear glass lacy with all-over teardrop pattern embellished with silver luster has silver back paint. There is some minor nicking on the beaded border. Brass shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#68 Cupids in Glass
This interesting piece features double glass, each with reverse intaglio painting of two cupids making offerings at the alter of love. A mirror back gives the sense that one is a reflection of the other. The glasses are mounted in an inner and outer brass rim, one silvered, and an openwork border of twisted wire with added paint embellishment. Reverse shows metal hump shank with split damage, though still strong shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#69 18th C. Cupid Watering a Plant
This large 18th C. under glass features a drawing on paper of Cupid watering a potted tree against a dark navy blue background. Copper rim and U shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#70 Theft of the Seven League Boots
A large brass story button titled “Hop O’ My Thumb and the Theft of the Seven League Boot”, shown BBB PL. 194-7. The double strand twisted border design reveals a tinted underliner. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#71 Bird Horn Inlay
A sweet bird and floral design in brass and silver is inlaid in tortoise veneer over natural horn on this slightly domed button. Swaged brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#72 Painted Ethnic Brass
An interesting ethnic brass with center floral motif and geometric patterning is tinted in colors of pink, red, and black. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#73 Dubois Pinna Shell Heart
Engraved, heart shaped pinna shell depicting Cupid taking aim at a target. Pink paste embellishment. By studio artist Nancy Dubois. Applied brass plate with U shank. Signed “NB 1996”. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#74 Pink Glass with Cameo Portrait
A Div. I pink glass wafer mounted in brass with an openwork ribbon twist border is embellished with a white glass cameo portrait of a lovely lady. Reverse bar with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#75 Carved Shell Couple
Beautiful carved shell featuring a provincial couple in a country scene. Swaged brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#76 Small Lacy Quartet
Four small Div. I lacy glass including a rare square, two scarce colored glass in green and aqua, and a clear glass floral pictorial with luster embellishment. Brass shanks. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#77 Third Ave Monkey
A monkey looks out from the tree upon which he sits as he holds a piece of fruit in his hand on this Third Ave silver. Backmarked KNOPF KONIG GRAZ with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#78 Third Ave Hansel and Grethel
This Third Ave silver from the early 20th century depicts Hansel and Grethel lost in the woods. Backmarked KNOPF KONIG GRAZ with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#79 Third Ave Venus and Cupid
And our third Third Ave button for this auction features Venus bathing a mischievous Cupid at a fountain. Backmarked KNOPF KONIG GRAZ with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#80 Realistic Water Lily
Realistic brass water lily with paste embellishment. Elongated brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#81 Agate Inlay Pinshank
Five colors of agate were utilized in this incredible inlaid button with a geometric star pattern. Brass pinshank. Some checking and a nick on the reverse, but these do not affect the integrity of the button. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#82 Rare Square Lacy
A rare square Div. I clear lacy glass with a faceted quatrefoil pattern and translucent leaf motifs in the corners over gold and red back paint coloring. Brass shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#83 18th C. Woman with Veil
This 18th C. en grisaille painting on ivory features a veiled woman placing garlands around a pedestal. A gold and blue reverse glass (eglomise) painted border frames the scene. Under glass in a copper rim and back mount. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#84 Plique a Jour Enamel with Pastes
A stunning Div. I Plique a Jour enamel with transparent blue enamel filling the openwork between the paste-mounted metal. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#85 Gooderham Paperweight Duo
Two glass paperweights by the late John Gooderham: a gold greyhound dog over a mint green base, and a bumble bee fluttering above a coral colored flower. The bee has amazing transparent wings that are not visible in the photograph. John’s signature cane is on the reverse of the dog button and in the center of the flower (below the bee) on the other. Wire loop shanks. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#86 Natural Material Sew-Thrus
Two natural material buttons including a vintage ivory with a deeply carved radial pattern, and an early utilitarian bone. The bone is a four-hole sew-thru and the ivory is a two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#87 Ceramic Silhouette Couple
This German made ceramic porcelain is decorated with a silhouette-style transfer of an 18th C. couple. The lady holds a fan as the gentleman presents her with a bouquet. Colored embellishment including the gold rim. The reverse is backmarked GERMANY with an applied brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#88 Cupid with Steels and Engraving
This scarce brass cup with engraved background features a winged cherub holding a spray of blue and silver cut steel jewels. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#89 Deluxe Minerva on Pearl
A large and deluxe button with a painted brass escutcheon of Minerva applied to an iridescent oyster pearl cameo carved oval border set with ten cut steel jewels. Brass loop shank through a plate holds the escutcheon. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#90 Scarce Medium Handkerchief
A medium size brass handkerchief border button features a floral sprig over an iridescent gray pearl background. Brass reverse with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#91 Two-Color Brass Pearl Overlay
A striking two-color brass in a pierced art nouveau botanical overlay with iridescent pearl background. Gilt reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#92 S.S. Maine
This brass button commemorates the U.S. Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, an event that instigated the Spanish-American War later that year. In the century following the event, several major investigations have not conclusively shown the cause of the explosion that killed 261 sailors. However, much evidence points to an internal rather than an external cause. Wobble loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#93 Poling Down the Mississippi
This large lavender tinted brass titled “Poling Down the Mississippi” shows a female figure in a flat bottom boat on the river. Shown BBB 214-17. Japanned reverse and loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#94 Comical Verbal Sporting
A silver-plated brass button features a tree branch separating a well-clad hunter from his galloping mount. The French motto translates to “Stop him!” Est. selling price is $30-60.
#95 Carved Pearl Steeple Chase
Very well carved and detailed dark to light pearl with a horse and rider jumping a fence. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#96 Reverse Paint Glass Quartet
Four attractive Div. III glass buttons with reverse paint. Includes a square plaid with molded threaded eyelet design, a blue glass with paste, frosted glass, and a clear dome with coronet and colorful reverse paint border. All have molded self shanks. The square is a Kathy Hoppe design, signed on the reverse KH. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#97 Celluloid Poppy One-Piece 30’s Wafer
Great 1930’s era extra-large celluloid one-piece wafer with a poppy flower center and interesting artistic border. Celluloid bubble shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#98 Balmoral Castle Ivoroid
This big Victorian ivoroid button depicts Balmoral Castle, the British royal family’s private home in the Scottish Highlands. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#99 Scarce Bathing
This charming and scarce scene depicts a mother and daughter at the seashore in their “bathing” outfits. The beach, a ship, and changing room structures complete the scene. Original tint, Paris back. Shown BBB PL 196-11. Backmark D.L. PARIS with two stars. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#100 Enamel Windmill
This French emaux peints enamel depicts a windmill beside a river with soft green, blue, and ivory coloring. A gilt Rococo border frames the scene. Gilt reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#101 Biern Glass and Fabric in Brass
This multi-material Sam Biern button features a domed gray-green glass cabochon center encircled by concentric brass rims and a border of navy blue wool. Backplate backmarked SAM BIERN, N.Y. with flat wire pigtail shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#102 Leather Hunter with Dog
A large 19th century embossed leather scene of a hunter with rifle over his shoulder and dog following behind. Japanned reverse with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#103 Horse Head French Tight
Great detailed horse head within a horseshoe border French Tight. Shown BBB PL 130-11. Backmark A P & Cie PARIS SOLIDAIRE BTE S.G.D.C. with brass self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#104 Wild Rose Enamel
A champleve enameled wild Rose stem with multiple blooms and buds is the focus of this openwork brass embellished with cut steel jewels. Several small areas are missing the enamel. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#105 Precision Inlay Glass on Bakelite
Reverse gold painted glass precision inlay in faceted chocolate brown glass is set in a brass rim with openwork border, and mounted on chocolate bakelite. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#106 Rosette Shank Sextet
Six Div. I glass with rosette shanks including a black with foil design, a brown striped over foil, a clear with black stripes over green foil, blue, gray with blue pattern, and green striped over foil. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#107 Victorian Glass in Brass
Intermixed glass is mounted in a sloped brass border with engraved design. Japanned reverse with pad shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#108 Merveilluse Steel Cup
Steel cup with pierced scene featuring a Merveilluse holding a fan and her skirt as she strolls through a garden setting. Painted decorative finish adds subtle coloring. Steel wire U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#109 Two-toned Victorian Celluloid
This two-toned Victorian celluloid in brown and cream is framed by an elaborate brass border Gold painted steel reverse with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#110 Red Glass Equestrian
Transparent red glass in a horseshoe shape intaglio engraved with a warrior on horseback wielding a sword. Loop and plate shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#111 Target Sporting
Quality brass sporting with pearl center target design. Backmarks include lion pictorial and EXTRA QUAL. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#112 18th C. Copper Octagon
A scarce octagonal copper is handsomely decorated with hand-tooled designs, including a circle of gilded Vs around the center reserve. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#113 18th C. Seated Woman Painting
A wonderful 18th C. painting on ivory features a rather comical scene of a woman holding a glass of wine, her voluminous skirt overwhelming the delicate chair upon which she is seated. A cupid atop a pedestal looks away as if not to notice her precarious seat. Mounted under glass with copper rim. Iron reverse with heavy copper wire U shank. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#114 18th C. Wedgwood Profile in Copper
18th C. copper features a Wedgwood classic head profile medallion. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#115 Pearl, Pastes, and more Pearl
This large and beautiful smoky oyster pearl on pearl button with the center pearl mounted in brass with a border of faceted pastes. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#116 Large Victorian Velvet Back
This Victorian pierced brass quatrefoil design with beaded edge is backed with black velvet and surrounded by a decorative border. Metal self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#117 Mrs. Grover Cleveland
The scarce brass head of Mrs. Grover Cleveland, nee Frances Folsom Preston. She was 21 years old at the time of President Cleveland’s inauguration. Shown BBB PL 218-17. Japanned reverse with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#118 18th C. bicolor Copper
18th C. bicolor copper with unusual circular chasing. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#119 T.J. Gates Lincoln and Tad
Theodore Gates watch crystal with lithograph of Abraham Lincoln and son Tad. Signed on the reverse, TJG ‘69. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#120 Aqua Duo
Two buttons including a Victorian jewel with an aqua glass cabochon bordered by brilliants, and an openwork ethnic silver ball shape with aqua enameling. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#121 Cobalt Tingue
A faceted round shape Div. I tingue in scarce cobalt blue color. Self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#122 Sterling Stieff Verbal Balloon
A Sterling silver design made by Stieff to commemorate the Montgolfier brothers’ balloon flight for the Smithsonian Institution. MONTGOLFIER is on the front of the balloon. Backmark STIEFF, STERLING and the Smithsonian Institution logo. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#123 Aqua Tingue
A faceted round shape Div. I tingue in scarce aqua blue color. Self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#124 Figural Enamel
A man in 18th C. clothing carries a pole against a pastoral background on this handpainted enamel on copper with turquoise blue pierreries border. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#125 Silver Electroplated Overlay on Pink Glass
Div. I soft pink glass with an Art Nouveau silver electroplated overlay poppy design. This OME technique is known (mistakenly) as “silver resist”. Metal two-way shank. The silver electroplating line goes halfway across the back and over the shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#126 18th C. Liberty Cap
A very fine 18th century button from the time of the French Revolution. It is pressed gilt brass over a wood mold back and shows the Liberty cap and fasces, symbol of Roman authority. It also shows the words ‘Republique Francaise’. BBB PL 295-27. Brass over wood back with catgut shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#127 Deluxe Painting of Actress
This fabulous and rare button features an exquisite painting on ivory of a theatrical woman in purple costume. She holds a mask in one hand and the end of her skirt in the other. Mounted under glass in a fanciful Rococo border. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#128 French Revolution Commemorative
A painted paper engraving celebrates the storming of the Bastille, the infamous prison where enemies of Louis XVI were held. This centennial commemorative is mounted under glass with a copper rim, back, and loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#129 Deluxe Rococo Princess
A watercolor portrait on ivory of Maria Teresa Luisa de Savoy, Princess of Lamballe, is mounted in a gorgeous openwork Rococo Revival case. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#130 Mosaic Cat in Cobalt Glass
This 19th C. Italian micro mosaic is set in both a scarce cobalt blue color and features a scarce depiction of a cat. The mount is likely gold. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#131 Roses on Porcelain Cylinder
An unusual cylinder shaped glazed porcelain with a handpainted rose garland and blue arches. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#132 Enamel Bellflower
In the Victorian language of flowers, the bellflower represents unchanging love and honesty. The floral element is an enameled plaquette mounted on openwork brass with filigree. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#133 Deluxe Painted Portrait
A lovely lady with elaborate hair with pink ribbon is painted on ivory and set under glass in an unmarked silver mount with scalloped border decorated with sparkling pastes. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#134 Amethyst Portrait in Metal
This beautiful molded amethyst glass relief portrait is of a woman with bound hair decorated with leaves and grapes. Perhaps she represents the goddess Oeno. She and her sisters, Spermo and Elais, were responsible for the harvest of wine, grain, and olive oil. Mounted in a brass rim and back with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#135 Pewabic Pottery
The Pewabic Pottery Co. of Detroit, Michigan was founded in 1906 by Mary Chase Perry. Renowned for its tile work, which is still being made today, under the umbrella of a nonprofit educational organization. Buttons were a sideline for the original company and thus are scarce. This quatrefoil design with yellow glaze has a beautiful iridescence, a Pewabic trademark. Reverse shows backmark. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#136 Dionysus Transfer on Porcelain
A classic polychrome transfer on porcelain features the youthful Dionysus with a garland of grapes and leaves in his hair. Brass rim collet. Loop shank on the iron reverse. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#137 Ajax on Pearl
Beautiful carved pearl, with brass escutcheon of the head of Ajax, accented with cut steels. Ajax, the grandson of Zeus, was a major hero in the mythical Trojan War. Brass U shank holds the escutcheon. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#138 Porcelain Archer
An archer with drawn bow kneels on this dynamic Victorian porcelain button. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#139 Minerva Steel Cup
Brass Minerva with lion helmeted head framed by olive branches on a textured background is mounted in a steel cup. A similar version is shown BBB PL 171-6. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#140 Musical Medley
A silvered brass openwork button with sheet music and four musical instruments including drum, horn, guitar, and lute. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#141 Enamel with Paillons
A symphony of paillons, tiny hand-cut gold-leaf and silver-leaf shapes, are fired onto cobalt enamel on this fine button. The enamel plaquette is set into a heavily gilded mount and bordered with cut steels. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#142 Medium Size Micromosaic Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is depicted on this fine big medium size oval micro mosaic mounted in unmarked silver. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#143 18th C. Diana
18th C. ink on paper under glass of Diana, the goddess of the hunt. The button is inscribed with the name “Diane” which is the French translation of Diana, thus identifying the button as French made. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#144 18th C. Jasperware Muse
A muse carrying a sickle and torch is rendered in beautiful detail on this white-on-cobalt 18th century jasperware button. Silvered rim, copper loop shank, tinned sheet-iron back. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#145 Medium Size Goldstone Micromosaic
This medium size scarce Victorian goldstone micro mosaic was set into its signed brass mount by the late Phil Linley (”PL”). Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#146 Silver Dancing Couple
A couple in provincial costume enjoy a dance against a textured ground representing a field on this hallmark silver. Hallmarks show Birmingham origin with date of 1902. N & H maker’s mark. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#147 18th C. Shell
A brightly iridescent shell carved in a pattern of faceted squares is bordered with cut steels. Jewel pin-shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#148 18th C. Moonlight Painting
This unusual reverse-painted landscape is a rare 18th century nighttime scene featuring a couple walking beneath a full moon. Copper rim and loop shank, tinned sheet-iron back. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#149 18th C. Copper
This exceptional copper is decorated with multiple hand-tooled patterns. A central reserve with delicate chased chevrons is surrounded by a complex border of stamped rosettes and faceted triangles. Heavy copper shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#150 Angel and Infant
A hovering angel in a peach gown holds an infant in the evening sky. Transfer and gold-luster decoration. Signed “Shirley ‘98” for Shirley Shaw. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#151 Early Silver Mesh with Beads
An intricate metallic thread woven button over a mold of possibly ethnic origin. The weaving is embellished with silver beads forming a border and dark pearl beads in the center. Threaded reverse. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#152 Rococo Diana the Huntress
A seated Diana the Huntress in ivoroid is mounted in a gilt brass Rococo border. Gilt brass reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#153 Painted Porcelain in Brass
A lovely handpainted porcelain with four arching rose garlands overlapping a gold quatrefoil pattern inside a gold border. Mounted in a brass rim and reverse. Overlapping double loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#154 Temperantia
A large brass of the mythological goddess, Temperantia, Roman goddess of moderation. Decorative triple border. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#155 Unicorn Beast Livery
A unicorn lion-like beast walks amongst trees on this silvered livery with motto. “Fortiter et Suaviter” translates to strength and gentleness. Backmark FIRMIN & SONS LD, LONDON with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#156 Teal Glass Warrior’s Head Intaglio
A nicely detailed classic warrior’s head is intaglio molded in teal green glass and mounted in a silver rim and reverse. Silver bar U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#157 Enamel Breast Button
An extra-large peasant button contrasts a turquoise cabochon with crimson enamel thickly fired onto a copper dome. This rare form is probably southwest Asian or Middle Eastern in origin, and is associated with tribal horsemen. Elongated single wire with end loop. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#158 18th C. Wrestling Men on Fabric
This 18th century underglass button features a rare sports scene, two wrestlers drawn in ink on silk fabric. Copper rim and loop shank. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#159 Cavalier Portrait
This fantastic button features a cavalier carved in high relief. Silver bezel mount with rope-twist border. Brass reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#160 Warrior Bimini Glass
Black Bimini glass features a gold lustered molded classic warrior’s head. Reverse backplate backmarked MADE IN ENGLAND with flowerpot logo. Loop shank Est. selling price is $30-60.
#161 Rooster, Hen, and Chicks
An extra-large, transfer-decorated ceramic button features a rooster, a hen, and a clutch of chicks. Signed “Shirley ‘95” for Shirley Shaw. Self-shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#162 18th C. Shell
An engraved and pierced shell disk with a paste-jeweled pinshank is backed with a tinned sheet-iron disk, gilded on the shell side so that the gilt is visible in the shell’s openings. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#163 18th C. Two-color Copper with Enamel
This striking 18th century button features a cobalt enameled disk with white pierreries and gold paillons (including stars) mounted on engraved two-color copper. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#164 18th C. Zeus and Ganymede
This 18th C. en grisaille mythological painting depicts Zeus as the eagle and Ganymede, the most beautiful mortal man, whom Zeus has abducted. Underglass mount with copper rim. Reverse shows the ivory button with copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#165 Turquoise Enamel with Pastes
This unmarked silver is decorated in a check pattern with turquoise enamel squares and bezel mounted faceted pastes. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#166 Handpainted Forget-Me-Knots
A pretty handpainted porcelain from the early 20th century features blue forget-me-nots against a creamy background and a gilt border. Self shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#167 Mad Tea Party Buckle
The Mad Tea Party from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” is engraved on this extra large bronze finished brass buckle from the Bergamot Brass Works. Wear scratch across the scene. Reverse shows the company’s backplate with 1974 date, and a backplate with a quote from the story. A third small round plate shows the company’s monogram. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#168 X-Large Celluloid Wafer
A fabulous extra-large celluloid wafer with a center wavy pattern over glittery gold and green foil framed by an Art Deco tulip border. Celluloid bubble shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#169 Old King Cole
French White pictorial depicting Old King Cole from the nursery rhyme in white metal high relief. Air holes show on the reverse. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#170 Paisley Enamel with Steels
Champleve enamel with an attractive paisley design is bordered with cut steels. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#171 Triple Birds Livery
A brass livery with three birds decorating a shield, the top bird pierced with an arrow, and the motto: Mens Conscia Recti, a Latin phrase adapted from Virgil’s Aeneid that means “a mind aware of what is right”. Backmark FIRMIN & SONS LD, LONDON, with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#172 Painted Porcelain with Rosebuds
A large and delicate handpainted fine and thin porcelain wafer with a wallpaper design of stemmed rosebuds on a cream background. Gilt flourishes decorate the border. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#173 Mucha Silvered Brass
A large and deluxe silvered brass features the head of an Art Nouveau Mucha styled woman with headdress and dangling earrings. Reverse shows two air holes and the loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#174 Arts & Crafts with Abalone
This large and wonderful Arts & Crafts gem features a vibrant abalone disk in hand-hammered pewter. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#175 Hallmark Silver Musician
A figure with lute sits amongst trees on this hallmark silver. The hallmarks reveal that the S.B.L firm from Sheffield, England imported this foreign-made silver (F) in 1900. Heavy silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#176 Cottage Scene Painted Pearl
A lovely gray oyster pearl was painted with a snowy winter cabin scene with fence and trees. Swaged brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#177 Glass in Brass
A large Victorian era button features an iridescent black glass in a fabric design mounted in a decorative brass rim. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#178 Bakelite Jewel
An extra-large and thick mottled brown bakelite wafer is decorated with a dark teal jewel mounted in a filigree brass setting. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#179 Painted Grapes on Polymer
An extra-large mottled green polymer disc was handsomely painted with grapes and foliage by studio artist Hope Boltz. Signed “Hope” on the reverse. Brass wire loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#180 Petoskey Stone Loon
An extra-large sew-thru realistic carved from Petoskey stone captures the upper Midwest’s great swimmer and vocalizer, the loon. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#181 Whiskey Jug Stud
A charming ceramic stoppered spirits jug states: “I am full of Canadian Spirit”. Stud shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#182 Verbal Silver Los Angeles Temple
An openwork Sterling silver depiction of the L.D.S. Temple in Los Angeles, a modernistic Latter Day Saint’s Church dedicated in 1956. A 15 ft. tall statue of the angel Moroni stands atop the structure. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#183 Leather Horned Creature Mask
This leather horned creature mask features glass eyes, painted decoration, yarn hair tufts, and leather strips as the whiskers. Leather cut-out shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#184 Las Vegas Verbal Cards
A 13 card hand is displayed on this Las Vegas souvenir brass. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#185 Realistic Hand Holding Cigarette
A realistic white metal hand holding a cigarette holder with lit cigarette, as the painted embellishment implies. A cigarette holder is considered a fashion accessory. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#186 Techno Savvy Lucite
Here is a fun button for this technological era, a piece of a circuit board encased in clear lucite. Applied plastic shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#187 Juggling Clown Enamel
A colorful enamel on copper of a juggling circus clown by studio artist Glenda Ott. Signed G Ott ‘91 on the reverse with an applied copper plate and cut-out shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#188 Esmeralda
Esmeralda, the gypsy girl in Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is depicted on this button, playing the tambourine as Djali, her pet goat, dances beside her. Shown BBB PL 160-4. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#189 Canio Paris Back
Canio, a character from the opera “I Pagliacci” with original tinted costume ruffled collar. Shown BBB PL 160-9. Triple bar shank backmarked A. P. & Cie, DEPOSE, PARIS. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#190 Masked Head Realistic
Unusual realistic masked bust figure with accordion collar and floral headdress. Plastic with paste IME. Double plastic U shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#191 Verbal Livery
This brass livery features a lion’s head with a rather surprised looking expression and the motto “ESSAYEZ, which translates to “try”. FIRMIN & SONS backmark with heavy loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#192 Fabric Ardor of Paris
Painted white metal with textured border in hot magenta, and a red wool fabric center. Backmark ARDOR OF PARIS. Cast slab shank Est. selling price is $30-60.
#193 Jeweled GAP
This gold tinted wood composition by GAP is molded with an interesting spiral design embellished with a dozen multi-colored pastes and a center red jewel. Brass loop shank. Backmark GAP. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#194 Cubist-style Portrait Studio
A fun extra-large square button by studio artist Nancy Craig featuring a colorful cubist-style portrait composed of various materials. Signed on the reverse “2017, Nancy Craig”. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#195 Gates Watch Crystal
A watch crystal by Theodore Gates of a man whispering in another man’s ear. Signed on the reverse TG ‘68. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#196 Unusual Toggle with Silver
This unusual toggle type button of a natural black material may be a badger claw. Embellished with a silver cap and pierced silver band. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#197 Barcelona Set
A set of six sew-through pottery buttons from Barcelona, each with a different scene of Gaudi’s special architecture set in this Spanish city. The set is still attached to the original card. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#198 Silly Face Snapette
This brass “Snapette” features a young girl’s face with a big silly grin. Ca. 1930-40’s. The “Snapette” shank pulls apart as a snap with a chain attachment keeping the backplate attached to the main piece. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#199 Whimsical Head
Amusing reminder of the “futuristic fantasies of the forties and fifties” according to Safro and Epstein in their book “Buttons”, p. 139. Realistic brass whimsical head button. Elongated brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#200 Enamel Christmas Tree
A colorful realistic shaped Christmas Tree enamel on copper by the late Herman Lowenstein. Signed HL. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#201 Art Deco Celluloid
Oh my, such style! This wonderful Art Deco celluloid consists of a celluloid wafer laminated with striped pearlized celluloid and a pearlized celluloid oval dome. Applied composition shank plate with thread grooves. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#202 Purple Mountain Majesty
A lovely reverse glass painting of a lake scene with waterfall and purple mountain in the distance. Purple foil background provides the special shimmer. Quality brass mount. This fine button was made by sisters Hope Boltz and Faith Strobel. Reverse is signed D.F.H. with a brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#203 Industrious Gnomes
Beyond the button books, this very rare pewter pictorial features two gnomes emerging from a pink-tinted mine. Remains of a buckle clasp on the reverse, but has central brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#204 Mickey and Minnie Motiwala
Earlier versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse are featured on this transfer enamel by the Motiwala Brothers of India. Silver mount with elongated silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#205 Owl Head Moveable
White metal owl head with moveable chain attachments. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#206 Guinness Set
These six buttons comprise the complete set made in the 1930’s for the Guinness Beer Company promoting their stout. The set includes a seal, turtle, toucan, zookeeper, ostrich, and kangaroo. The reverse painted designs under glass are set in a brass rim and back. Brass loop shanks. Backmark GUINNESS. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#207 Paper Tight Top
An unusual paper covered pad-back button from the early 20th century. The printed paper fits snugly around the edge of the button and around to the back, firmly held in place by the reverse (like a celluloid tight-top construction). Our last auction included one of these buttons, and lucky for those that missed out, the consignor had one more! Est. selling price is $30-60.
#208 Brass Poppy with Steels
A striking pierced brass Art Nouveau design with a center Poppy and foliage design and attractive border is embellished with cut steel jewels. Elongated brass wire U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#209 Puffed-Cheek Boy
Charming pewter boy in hat with puffed-out cheeks attached to convex brass. Reverse shows backplate KANDELL & MARCUS N.Y. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#210 Lampwork Farm Animals
Two cute lampwork glass farm animals, a chicken and a cow, of Russian origin with colorful stylized detail. Thin wire loop shanks. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#211 Stormy Weather
Brass clouds roil and steel lightning bolts flash on this hard to find 19th century pictorial. Shown BBB PL 273-33. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#212 Wessel Habitat
Delicately dyed seashells and seaweeds are arranged on a naturalistic way in this habitat watch crystal by mid-century studio artist Harry Wessel. Signed on the reverse “HGW” with a wire shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#213 Fisherwoman Paris Back
A medium brass picture showing a fisherwoman with her net on the banks of the water. Sailing vessels can be seen on the water and birds flying in the sky. Shown BBB PL 208-14. Tinned steel reverse with brass loop shank. Bkmk D.L. PARIS. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#214 Fish on Tortoise Bakelite
A handsome tortoise bakelite decorated with a brass puffer fish escutcheon. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#215 Jade Dolphin
A dolphin carved in mottled dark green jade. Swaged brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#216 Sailor with Letter
A scarce medium molded brown composition pictorial with an endearing scene of a sailor boy receiving a letter from home. A large package has also arrived for him. A similar version of this button is shown BBB PL 192-22, in which his arm rests on a barrel instead of the package. White metal collet. Molded self-shank with thread grooves. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#217 Plique Enamel Lighthouse
An extra-large, rectangular plique a jour enamel button depicts a lighthouse. Wire U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#218 Burwood Captain with Wheel
An extra-large and well-defined molded wood composition of a ship’s Captain at the wheel. Nice detail includes the ship’s deck and railing and another sailing ship in the distance. Two-hole sew thru. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#219 Scrimshaw Sailing Ship
A large and scarce button of carved ivory with a scrimshaw rendering of a two-mast schooner sailing ship. Metal shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#220 Horn Fish
A small and scarce dyed black horn with a molded design in nice detail of a fish on the water. Self shank with thread grooves. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#221 Heron Screenback
A long legged heron and cattails applied to a lacy silvered metal screenback. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#222 Compass
A working compass mounted under glass in a brass 1/4” drum-type mount. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#223 Bimini Merman
Rare subject of a Merman in Bimini Glass. Gold luster finish on the figure and the reverse. Brass plate and loop shank with backmark MADE IN ENGLAND. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#224 Swordfish on Casein
A colorful enamel swordfish and white metal ship’s wheel are mounted on black casein. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#225 Casein French Sailor
This white casein features an iconic painted French sailor, with his pom adorned cap and Breton stripe shirt, which became a French fashion staple after CoCo Chanel sported the shirt in the 1930s. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#226 Oriental Style Jewel
A domed Popper-like cabochon mounted in brass atop a brass openwork Asian character. Ca. 1930s. Oval plate on the reverse shows backmark BEN MELTZER INC, NY. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#227 Satsuma in Silver
Nice detail on this mother and child Satsuma porcelain mounted in silver. Elongated silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#228 Buddha on Leather
Brass Buddha with leather background is mounted in a brass rim and back. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#229 Black Satsuma Building
A black matte finish Satsuma with gold building and Mt. Fuji in the background. Sharp edge self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#230 Satsuma Figure
Colorful male figure with green clothing, purple head cover and much gold trim on this Japanese Satsuma. Flat self-shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#231 Rare Satsuma Lemons
This old cobalt glazed Satsuma features a rare subject pictorial of two lemons framed by a heavily gilded geometric patterned border. Artist signed on the reverse. Smooth edge self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#232 Gin Bari Enamel
A beautiful Gin Bari Japanese enamel with blue dotted floral elements and green foliage against a teal foil background. Silver mount. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#233 Old Satsuma Square
Unusual for both shape and the relief-molded surface, this rare old button depicts tiny blossoms peeking through a trellis. Mounted in metal signed with the Satsuma mark. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#234 Cloisonné Enamel Heart Buckle
A bluebird flits among draping wisteria on this large and beautiful cloisonné enamel heart-shaped buckle. Counter-enameled with bar and hook attachments. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#235 Carved Asian Dragon
A fantastic carved dragon with glass bead eyes fills the face of this Japanese bone button, imported in the 1950s. Similar button shown BBB PL 2-25. Carved peg shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#236 Shibayama Fan
A realistic ivory fan is decorated with pearl insets and engraved and paint-filled detailing. Made in Japan mid-20th century for the tourist trade. Peg shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#237 Cinnabar
Old cinnabar ideogram and floral border mounted in silvered copper. Wire loop shank. Backmark CHINA. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#238 Engraved Oriental
A scarce and lovely 19th century engraved bone features a sepia tinted oriental woman holding a fan while butterflies flit around her. Red tint accent. Brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#239 Wax Resist Oriental Figure
A beautifully well-defined wax resist scene on ivory depicting an oriental figure in a garden setting. Flat brass loop shank on the slightly convex sepia toned reverse. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#240 Hexagonal Satsuma in Silver
Old hexagonal cobalt glazed Satsuma features a scene of three seated kimono-clad women. Mounted in silver with elongated silver loop shank and backmark. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#241 Bunny on Wood
A floppy-eared bunny etched on a slightly concave disk. Self shank. Signed EW 97. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#242 Armadillo
A white metal or pewter armadillo mounted on green plastic with brass rim and back. A three material competition counter! Loop shank. Signed JH on the reverse. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#243 Bakelite Fox
A scarce carved bakelite fox head mounted on black bakelite with a carved pitted background design. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#244 Three Rabbits
Three rabbits are framed against a shiny steel back within a quatrefoil border on this scarce brass pictorial. One rabbit is running, one is peeking from its rabbit hole, and the third hides in the grass. Shown BBB PL 100-4. Japanned steel reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#245 Ceramic Cat
This oval ceramic with a charming stick figure cat design is from the Golem Design Studio of Bulgaria. Known for their high quality jewelry fittings, artists incorporate a variety of ancient and contemporary art forms. This button exhibits their quality work and attention to the hand processes. Reverse shows an unglazed stamped star pattern and the glazed ceramic peg shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#246 V.I. Squirrel
This realistic squirrel carved from Vegetable Ivory has tiny insets of tagua bark for the eyes. Imported from Ecuador in the early 2000’s. Slab self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#247 Dog Head on Norwalk Pottery
This medium glazed Norwalk pottery features a brass dog (or wolf) head escutcheon. Rare. Brass loop shank with brass plate holds the escutcheon. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#248 Rooster Fable with OME
This large and fabulous gilt brass Rooster is embellished with four pearl beads and a cut steel forming his eye. The pearls are individually attached with steel pins. This button illustrates the fable “The Cock and the Jewel”. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#249 Puss N’ Boots
A detailed and scarce Div. I picture button depicting Puss ‘N Boots with a cut steel border. Notice his fabulous Musketeer outfit including feathered hat, cape, boots, and sword at his side. Oh, and note the poor rat dangling from Puss’ paw. Brass U shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#250 Enamel with Glass Jewel
Unique jewel button with slightly convex openwork brown and green enamel embellished with cut steels and framing a domed brown glass cabochon. One tiny chip on the glass near the rim mount. Gilt reverse with support bar and U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#251 Div. I BG Surface Designs Group
Five Div. I black glass, four small and one medium, all with painted or enamel designs. Includes oval bluebird, bird on branch, square with structure, leafy branch with gold luster border, and beetle. Self shanks and one brass loop and plate shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#252 Wild Turkey on Bidri
A turkey painted on vegetable ivory is framed by its bidri metalwork mount on this large oval button. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#253 19th C. Giraffe
This interesting “short-necked” giraffe was the 19th century artists’ imagined idea of this exotic-to-them animal. This large brass pictorial is in beautiful condition with some remaining original tint. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#254 Engraved Pearl Literary Frog
A frog on a lily-pad reads a big book with obvious enjoyment on this charming engraved pearl by studio artist Diane Schefferly. Four-way brass shank. Signed and dated Diane S. ‘95, and numbered 601-2. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#255 Cat Satsuma
A medium Satsuma featuring a black and white kitty on a red pillow. The cat’s collar matches the pillow. Modern self shank. Mark on the reverse. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#256 British Bakelite Mask
A metalized British bakelite in the realistic shape of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion and mercy. Applied and metalized celluloid shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#257 Niello Elephant
An elephant, engraved in fine detail, raises its trunk on this silver Niello button. Elongated silver loop shank. Backmarked. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#258 Taj Mahal on Bidri
A modern oval bidri button frames a painting on polymer of India’s Taj Mahal. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#259 Elephant Under Glass
This medium button features a rather funny little ill-proportioned elephant of (likely) glass (or ivory) which was adhered to black paper. The elephant has a shine to it when viewed under a scope, thus the glass call. Mounted under glass in a gilt metal rim and back. This may be a late 19th C. French revival piece in imitation of 18th C. molded wax art. Small loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#260 Arita Elephant
A realistic elephant with red and gold fringed caparison in Arita porcelain. Self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#261 XLarge Backmarked Celluloid
This extra-large one-piece molded celluloid is embellished with a faux filigree pierced brass medallion. Two flat brass loop shanks and plates hold the escutcheon. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#262 Egyptian Revival Screenback
This fine 19th C. filigree screenback features a center gilt metal disk with an enameled head of a young woman in Egyptian style headdress. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#263 Netsuke Elephant
A beautifully carved katabori netsuke (sculptural netsuke) of an elephant, from ebony wood. The cord attachment is on the rear of the elephant. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#264 Glass Sphinx in Brass
This fabulous 19th C. Egyptian revival features a gold lustered molded black glass high relief Sphinx against the faceted background. The glass is mounted in an engraved brass rim. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#265 Shibayama Peacock
This polished ivory convex button features a wonderful inlaid Shibayama peacock. Self hump shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#266 Dove of Peace Velvet Back
A large Victorian perfume button with a pierced depiction of the Dove of Peace against a black velvet background. Set in a decorative brass border. Shown BBB PL. 29-16. Brass back with brass hump shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#267 Jasperware Moose
This extra-large rectangular green jasperware ceramic features a moose wading through the water in a pine forested mountain scene. Self shank. Signed SR ‘99 for Stella Rzanski. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#268 Handkerchief Stag
This scarce brass handkerchief corner holds a steel disk mounted with a brass stag head in high relief. Brass loop shank holds the escutcheon. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#269 Pearl Gazelle on Wood
A delicate Gazelle carved in pearl was set against a textured natural material and mounted in a tropical wood rim and back. Self peg shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#270 Pressed Wood Kingfisher Paris Back
A kingfisher dives toward the water amongst the marsh grass and water lilies on this pressed wood design with lots of great detail. Shown BBB PL 139-18. Brass plate and loop shank. Bkmk A. P. & C, DEPOSE PARIS. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#271 Carved Seal on Ice
A seal with its head in high relief, rests on an iceberg on this carved ivory button. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#272 V.I. Penguin
A penguin in profile is carved from vegetable ivory. Painted eye. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#273 Peruvian Silver Set
Five domed silver buttons, each with a different image, comprise this set from Peru. Includes two figures, a hut, a smiling sun, and Andean pan pipes. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#274 Pewter Mexican Musician
A man in sombrero and shawl strums his vihuela on this large pewter button. A vihuela is a guitar-like stringed instrument typically played in mariachi groups. Cast peg shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#275 Rooster Satsuma
A long tailed Rooster is depicted on this modern Satsuma. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#276 Native American Beadwork
Colorful Native American seed beadwork sewn in a radiating pattern over a cardboard mold. Satin polyester reverse with silver wire shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#277 Native American Silver
Navajo silver with scroll and star design and center turquoise. Copper wire loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#278 Zia Earthenware Bird
An earthenware from the southwest with a black bird design. Zia buttons were made for only a short time in the 1940s. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#279 Zia Earthenware
This Zia earthenware has a matte finish for the quatrefoil design. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#280 Mexican Silver Pair
Here is a Mexican silver mother/daughter with a blossom design. Backmarked MEXICAN SILVER with loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#281 Beaded Chieftain Head
A leather button beaded in the shape of a chieftain head by Native American artist Susie Longhair of the Cocopah tribe. Signed on the reverse COCOPAH S L. Silver wire shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#282 Bakelite Oriental Mask
Very unusual green bakelite carved oriental-style mask attached to large oval chocolate brown bakelite. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#283 Bell Silver African Madonna
This Sid Bell Sterling silver did well in our Autumn 2018 auction, and now we have the opportunity to offer it again. The realistic shape African continent features the relief head of an African Zulu woman wearing traditional inkehli. Backmarked THE AFRICAN MADONNA, HANDMADE XMAS ‘71, Sid BELL, TULLY N.Y., STERLING with a loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#284 Russian Couple on Pearl in Silver
A beautifully painted scene on pearl featuring a couple in ethnic clothing in a wintry setting. The man plays an accordion while the woman dances. Mounted in a silver rim and back with a decorative twisted double rope border. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#285 Wood Babushka
Handpainted by a Russian artist is this cute and colorful Babushka figure or doll. Signed on the reverse with a metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#286 Enamel Sextet
Six small and sweet late 19th century enamels. The smallest has a pierced border and three have cut steel embellishment. Gilt reverses and loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#287 Bakelite and Casein Laminates
A mother/daughter pair of bakelite squares laminated with a two-color stripe design, and a modified spindle shape casein laminate in green and mottled blue. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#288 Sam Biern Floral Jewel
A mottled coral glass cabochon forms the center of this extra-large Sam Biern rayed petal design. Reverse shows the backplate marked SAM BIERN, N.Y. and the interesting screw-on shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#289 Moveable Dice in Glass
Two game die, one green and one yellow, are encased within two joined slightly convex glass discs. The die move sideways within the resulting air space. Applied small metal loop and plate shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#290 Handpainted Angel on Pearl
Originating from Russia, this handpainted pearl features an angel holding a single rose stem. Signed ALEX on the lower front. Self peg shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#291 Mother/Daughter Lacy Glass
A mother/daughter large and small Div. I clear lacy glass pair with a red, green, yellow, and black back painted design. Brass hump shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#292 Robinson Crusoe
A large brass depicting Robinson Crusoe in a tropical island setting. Shown BBB PL. 19 -1. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#293 Celluloid Footballers
This extra-large one-piece magenta dyed celluloid features two footballers active in the game. Celluloid bubble shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#294 Pearl Cow Over the Moon
A vintage pearl button handpainted in charming detail by a Russian artist depicts the nursery rhyme “The cow jumped over the moon”. Four-way brass shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#295 Art Nouveau Head on Buckle
A fabulous Art Nouveau woman’s head and bust decorates this unique buckle on the original store card. Her hair swirls around to form the border intertwined with poppy flowers. “The Adjustable Buckle”, in vogue 1890-1910, held the “waist, ribbons and skirt in place”. The buckle created what was known as the “Gibson Girl Dip”, a low blouse pouf at the skirt juncture. The buckle has a bar with large attached safety pin for the corset attachment. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#296 Carved Pearl Duo
Two late 19th century carved pearl including a cameo head set in brass with a delicate acorn and leaf border design, and an engraved pearl depicting a bird flying over ocean waves. The cameo has a brass back with loop shank. The other is a two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#297 Scarce Goodyear Backmark
A Goodyear rubber with a molded radiating floral petal design. Two-hole sew-thru. Scarce backmark NOVELTY RUBBER CO. GOODYEAR’S PATENT. 1849-51. NEW-YORK. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#298 Three Cats Wood Marquetry
This great wood button features three cats eating from a dish. Each cat, and the dish, are inlaid with different types of wood, forming the unique color of each cat. By wood artist Everett Hartman. Metal loop shank. Signed by the artist and dated 4/91. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#299 Openwork Spaniel Dog Head
A Spaniel dog’s head is set within an open ring border for this white metal button. Cast shank. Backmark CORDIA. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#300 1939 Grand Central Station
A souvenir coin button depicting Grand Central Station in NYC, made for the 1939 World’s Fair. Reverse backmark NEW YORK CITY 1939 with copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.