Auction closes to new bids (extended bidding after 9 pm CT on high activity lots):
#1 Ribbon Rose Basket
A lovely basket overflowing with embroidered yellow rose blooms and greenery against a pink satin background is beautifully mounted under a thick crystal set in a rose bedecked wreath brass border. Signed F.S. on the brass reverse for Faith Strobel. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#2 Rose and Pansy Bouquet
A rose, pansy, and buds gathered in a nosegay against a floral wallpaper background. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#3 Pierrot and the Moon
The Commedia dell’Arte clown Pierrot serenades the crescent moon on this lovely large Victorian brass cup with applied figures and cut steels. Wire U shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#4 Cupid Velvet Back
Cupid waits for his next moment, his bow and arrow at the ready, on this velvet back. Reverse shows backmark PARIS and loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#5 Lady with Fan Steel Cup
With fan in hand, a woman strolls through a lush garden on this pierced brass in steel cup mount. Steel wire U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#6 Carved Cowrie Shell Pattern
The radial petal design carved in this tiger cowrie shell revealed varying shades from deep brown to pale pink. Two-hole sew-thru. (Note: shell type corrected since catalog printing.) Est. selling price is $30-60.
#7 Paisley Velvet Back
A painted six-petal flower decorates the velvet back paisley on this attractive late Victorian era button. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#8 Arita Butterfly
Hand-painted and gold-lustered Arita porcelain butterfly with impressed backmark and two shanks. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#9 Enamel Puss N’ Boots
Emaux peints enamel featuring that conniving fairy tale cat who eventually gained the hand of a princess in marriage for his penniless and low-born master. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#10 Triad Jewel
Like dancing flames, three deep orange jewels combine with three spiraling brass leafy shapes to form this nouveau design. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#11 Foil Back Jewel
Faceted foil-back glass set within a border of acanthus scrolls. German backmark and loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#12 Fashion Lady Transfer
A porcelain fashion button from France with a glazed transfer of an artist’s stylized drawing of a young woman wearing a fabulous hat and holding a cat. This is from a set of 3 designs made in the 1960s in France. Shown in Osborne’s book “About Buttons”, p. 236. Inserted wire loop shank on the clear glazed reverse. Another button from the set is Lot 41. Inserted wire loop shank on the clear glazed reverse. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#13 Three Materials
Deluxe celluloid background in a gilded mount with a beveled shell square. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#14 18th-C Octagonal Copper
Delicate center 10-point foil engraving framed by the deeper chased inner and outer borders on this eight-sided copper. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#15 Bunny and Sunflowers
Shellacked paper features a bunny amongst sunflowers on this linear shaped studio button. Applied plastic shank. Signed “04 Sandra Smith.” Est. selling price is $10-30.
#16 Popper Glass Spindle
A large spindle shape white “Popper” glass with silver, green, and yellow foil inclusions. Brass loop and plate shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#17 Glass Bird in Wood Basket
This two-material combination features a glass bird nestled atop a carved wood basket with painted color. Carved self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#18 Shell Sunrise Scene
The sun, with contemplative expression, provides either a morning or evening glow (your option!) for the figure in the foreground. A beautiful and intricately carved shell overlay. Prong mounted in silvered metal. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#19 Div. I Glass Plate
Hand painted dish-shaped Victorian milk glass decorated with a rose framed by a floral motif border. Four-way brass shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#20 Impressed Butterfly Swirlback
Brass butterfly impressed into the transparent glass during the formative heat process. Wire loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#21 Threadwork Duo
A delicate embroidered floral wreath and a plain weave decorate these late Victorian era fabric buttons. The brown weave has a backmarked metal reverse with center pad shank. The wreath has a fabric back. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#22 H.F.M. Painted Poppy
A yellow spring poppy and emerging blooms beautifully rendered by Harry F. Meyers, china decorator, born about 1873. Reference article: “Rediscovering H.F.M. -42-” by Judy Stopke. NBS July 2015 p. 116-119. Another Meyers porcelain is offered in Lot #208. Molded self shank. Signed H.F.M -42-. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#23 Colors of Ireland
The colors of Ireland are displayed on this rare shamrock button: orange basse taille enamel shamrocks, white enamel rosette, and emerald-green pastes. Gilded back. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#24 Japanese Metalwork Garden
Three colors of metal in copper, gold, and silver, enhance this garden scene with flittering birds for this domed silver from Japanese artisans. Rounded self shank for this button with hollow construction. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#25 Liberty Cymric
Art Nouveau enameled sterling, designed by Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co. Signed by Liberty, hallmarked for 1906, and has the Cymric mark. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#26 Carved Shell with Steels
The natural coloring of the shell creates the subtle pastel shades of this carved button with steel jewel embellishment. Swaged-in brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#27 Paste Embellished Dragonfly
Green enamel fills the background of this one-piece dragonfly design with paste embellishment. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#28 Daisy Border Lacy
Four Daisy blooms cleverly decorate this Div. I lacy glass with faux coralene bead center. Original paint reverse with brass shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#29 ANN Jewel
Wood composition ANN button with center green jewel. Reverse shows ANN backmark and a loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#30 Brooks Flowers Card
Six small casein buttons painted by mid-20th century English artists Edith and Alan Brooks. Still attached to a portion of the original store or sample card. Two flower designs, daisy and posy. Self shanks. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#31 Polar Bear Scrimshaw in Wood
Scrimshaw polar bear by Alaskan artist Arnold Kayutak, set in a cottonwood frame, ca. 1950s. Carved wood shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#32 Peary at the Pole
Contour brass depicting Admiral Peary at the North Pole. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#33 Snow Globe Paperweight
Mary Gaumond created this realistic snowglobe paperweight with a lampworked cabin in a winter landscape. Signed and dated. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#34 Carved Walrus
Handsome carving in natural material of a tusked walrus. Carved self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#35 Carved Scrimshaw Walrus
An old engraved and carved walrus from natural material. Native Alaskan origin. Some chipping on a tusk and flippers. Curved needle shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#36 Relaxing Woman with Parrot
Intricately detailed brass scene depicts a woman at leisure reclining in a hammock with a parrot perched nearby. Note the detail of the remaining slipper on her foot about to fall, the numerous folds of the blanket, and the wallpaper background. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#37 Large Arita Pheasant in Flight
Colorful and large realistic pheasant in flight of Arita porcelain. Reverse shows self shank and Arita backmarks. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#38 XLG Owl with Glass Eyes
High contoured owl’s head with glass eyes, gleaming just like the sighting of an owl’s face at night. Signed on the reverse “F.S.” for Faith Strobel. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#39 Rare Horn Fable
A very scarce molded horn known as a depiction of the fable “Philomel and Progne,” shown BBB PL 154-3, and based on a 19th C. illustration by Gustave Dore. A woman in a hat with spindle in hand is seated next to a sleeping sheep, as a bird flies overhead. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#40 Two Cats in a Sabot
Two cats sail in a wooden sabot on this pierced one-piece brass. Note the rippling water and marsh plants detail. Shown BBB PL 114-4. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#41 Fashion Woman with Bird
A porcelain fashion button from France with a glazed transfer of an artist’s stylized drawing of a young woman holding a birdcage with colorful parrot. This is from a set of 3 designs made in the 1960s in France. Shown in Osborne’s book “About Buttons”, p. 236. Another button from the set is Lot 12. Inserted wire loop shank on the clear glazed reverse. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#42 Little Lord Fauntleroy
A boy and his faithful dog, a depiction of the Victorian novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published 1886. At the time, the book’s illustrations set fashion trends for attiring children in formal dress, though perhaps not favored by the children themselves! Reverse shows repainted back with loop shank. A bit of missing rim denotes that this likely also had a buckle attachment. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#43 Scotty Celluloid Wafer
One-piece dyed celluloid wafer featuring a Scottish Terrier. Molded bubble celluloid shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#44 St. Bernard on Steel
High-profile brass head of a St. Bernard, at the ready for snow rescues with his collar barrel. Steel jewel embellishment. Steel plate mount with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#45 Cat Ceramic
A modified rectangle ceramic with a colorful cat framed by a petal motif border. By 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. Self glazed shank. Stamped pattern on the reverse. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#46 Realistic Shell Cat Head
Wide-eyed realistic cat head carved in antique pearl by Herman Bangeman. Brass shank. Signed on the reverse H.B.’93. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#47 Victorian Rabbits
A large Div. I brass button features two rabbits near a fence against a finely lined background. A similar button with rabbits in the same pose is shown BBB PL 99-13. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#48 Original Pavone Cat Card
Paw prints leading to the Kitty culprit! A set of five commercially screen-printed nylon buttons designed by Marie-Christine Pavone. Mounted on a card signed by the artist. Molded slab loop self-shanks. Backmarked with circled U. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#49 V.I. Unicorn
XLG vegetable ivory carving brought forth a wild and elusive Unicorn from the lands beyond. Carved self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#50 Porcupine Livery
A wild porcupine and motto “VIRTUS EST ROBUR” (Virtue is Strength) for this silvered brass livery. Backmarked with heavy loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#51 Elephant and Lion
An elephant rears up as a lion attacks on this scarce brass pictorial. Japanned steel reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#52 Atlee Ostrich
Long-lashed ostrich looks us over from a colorful backdrop on this original art by Sara Atlee mounted on pale orange polymer. Signed and dated on the reverse Atlee ‘98, 2/10. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#53 Pinna Squirrel and Acorns
Heart-shaped Nancy Dubois pinna shell with a bushy-tailed squirrel on an acorn-festooned oak branch. Swaged-in brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#54 Shell with Dragon
Very large engraved shell with dragon escutcheon. Late 19th or early 20th century. Large plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#55 Strobel Bunny
Large brass rabbit in a very cuddly pose. Signed “FS” for Faith Strobel. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#56 Shield with Bird
Interesting provenance comes with this button. The metal shield in copper finish is mounted with a smaller shield in natural material and adorned with a bird-like creature. In 1910, a set of these buttons was within a box of buttons purchased at a “thieves market” in France by a surgeon serving in WWI. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#57 Dragon Shibayama
A translucent material (horn?) depicting a fantastic dragon adorns this contoured natural material button. Self shank and artist signed. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#58 Crab Original Tint
A deep red-tinted domed brass features a large crab with chased detail. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#59 Jet Rooster
A Rooster struts across this square button carved from Siberian jet by Balinese artisans and commissioned in a limited number by Bob Benson. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#60 Aluminum Horse
Gilded aluminum horse. Crafted in France, late 1940s, from unused war machinery by designer Fonte Guillot. Cast self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#61 Engraved Pearl Set
A set of four late 19th century dyed and engraved pearl in graduated sizes. Two-hole sew-thrus. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#62 Pearl Sailboat in the Harbor
A serene sailboat scene in carved pearl. Four-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#63 Matte Enamel Portrait
A medium one-piece matte enamel with handpainted portrait of a lady’s head, her hat framed by a champleve enamel design. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#64 Purple Petal Jewel
These twelve purple spindle glass shapes forming a petal design are centered with a clear paste on the stamped brass surface. German backmark. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#65 Screen Background Handkerchief
Though small in size, two big characteristics define this button: the handkerchief corner border and a screen background. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#66 Brass in Steel Paris Back
Two-toned tinted steel border frames the pierced brass quatrefoil pattern center. Paris backmark on the triple support bar with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#67 Velvet with Portrait
Plum color velvet frames this handpainted portrait set under glass. Exquisitely rendered. Possibly painted on natural material. Metal loop with small plate shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#68 Velvet Figural
An inner border of tiny metal beads surrounds a figure embroidered on claret-colored velvet on this rare 19th century needlework. This same button is shown BBB PL 26, #20. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#69 Deluxe Gentleman’s Portrait
A gentleman’s portrait handpainted on ivory set under glass and framed with a paste border is mounted in a gilded back. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#70 Medium Micromosaic
Architectural micromosaic in a later Sterling setting. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#71 Steel Star in Brass
Unusual early 19th century transitional brass features a faceted steel star face design and a decorative brass border. Heavy drilled brass shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#72 18th-C Copper Fish Scales
A rare fish-scale design gives great texture to the surface of this fine copper button. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#73 Helmet Shell Cameo Portrait
Timeless beauty cameo carved helmet shell portrait in a double mount of gilt brass with outer copper rim. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#74 Rose Window Black Glass
A large medium Div. I black glass wafer beautifully decorated in the style of a stained glass rose window. Brass loop shank with plate. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#75 Painted Portrait in Square Frame
A charming portrait of a young woman handpainted on natural material is mounted under glass and framed with a copper gilded ship’s wheel design set within a larger square natural material mount. Copper reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#76 Jacksonian Washington Head
Three representations of George Washington portrait are found on Jacksonians. This is the least common version. See NBB July 2008, p. 131 #12. Backmarked with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#77 Large Star Watch Crystal
Div. I watch crystal wafer with six-point reverse painted star gilt outline and abalone pearl chips background. Full brass backplate with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#78 18th-C Silver Plated Copper
Silver plated copper, known as “Sheffield plate” which was first introduced in 1742. Hand-chased repeated linear pattern. Reverse is marked “PLATED” with copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#79 18th-C Copper with Star
This 18th century copper features a deeply chased sunburst design and two borders. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#80 Rock Crystal Repoussé
A bezel-set center rock crystal and three smaller rock crystals embellish this heavily textured early gilt silver repoussé contoured button. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#81 Georgian Glass
A rare and elaborate late 18th/early 19th century Georgian woven wire under faceted glass. Silver or silvered mount with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#82 18th-C Copper Bees
A ring of jaunty, hand-stamped bees chase each other around the handsome surface of this big copper button with a border of hand-stamped sunbursts. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#83 18th-C Wedgwood in Steel
A seated, robed male supports a tiny winged oracle as she adds a laurel wreath to a cluster of objects that, taken together, represent Apollo. Perhaps this is the Delphian Apollo, the guardian of the Shrine at Delphi. Wedgwood jasperware mounted in Boulton steel. Heavy steel shank. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#84 18th-C Reverse Painted Fisherman
Glass reverse-painted scene invites curiosity. A lone fisherman in military dress appears to be fishing from an island with a lone structure still displaying the effects of a recent battle. Copper rim. Iron reverse with copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#85 18th-C Passementerie
Sequins and coiled metallic wire decorated this 18th century passementerie. Linen thread reverse. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#86 18th-C Reverse Intaglio Portrait
Behind the glass of this small 18th century is a fine classic head reverse intaglio portrait. Copper rim. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#87 18th-C Thread Weave
A geometric pattern in bold colors for this 18th century wound thread over wooden mold. Pristine condition. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#88 Tombac Sporting Set
The huntsman sounds the horn and the chase commences . . . across field and stream. Horse, rider, and dogs are portrayed on this set of four engraved late 18th or early 19th century tombacs. Slight variation in size. Typical tombac shanks. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#89 18th-C Four Material
Pleated steel borders a large center paste with a collar of carved pearl. Copper rim. Copper loop and domed plate complete the pinshank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#90 18th-C Passementerie
A backing of bright foil renders a pink blush through the thin pearl face. A small rectangular area of missing pearl shows the actual hot pink color of the foil. Metallic thread and sequin decoration. Thread reverse. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#91 Three-Color Gilded Pearl
Gold, silver, and copper gilding enhance this sweet floral engraving on pearl. Swaged-in loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#92 Cobalt Lacy Glass
Div. I lacy glass, the deep color due to the cobalt colored glass. Original reverse paint. Brass shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#93 Square Silver Paste Jewel
This hand-wrought modified square beauty is of high grade silver (jeweler verified and tested) in an openwork design embellished with four large chaton rhinestones and four smaller ones, each claw-set. Early 20th century. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#94 Russian Lacquerware Pansies
Yellow pansies glow above the foliage background on this Russian artisan painted button. Signed on the reverse. Self-shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#95 Silvered Black Glass Butterfly
A butterfly appears to float above the bonds of the faux threadwork design on this highly lustered black glass. Four-way brass shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#96 Victorian Opaline Glass
Translucent opaline glass features a molded design and border enhanced with black paint. Brass loop shank with small plate. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#97 Silver Water Lily Border Portrait
A water lily bloom, foliage, and bud meander gently around the lovely lady’s portrait to comprise a border on this Art Nouveau silver. Reverse marked STERLING 935. Silver loop on thin slab shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#98 Liberty Peacock
The classic British enameled sterling silver peacock, hallmarked for 1901, signed by Liberty, and has the “Cymric” mark. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#99 Silver Peacock
A proud peacock displaying his sizable tail on this openwork hallmarked silver. Birmingham city and 1900 date marks. Maker’s mark HM. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#100 Henny Penny
Here is poor little Henny Penny, flapping her wings to let the world know the sky is falling. Pierced brass design with original tint. Shown BBB PL 192-17. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#101 Cloisonné Enamel Ball
Asian origin cloisonné enamel ball with pierced design. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#102 Bee & Strawflowers Lucite
Blue daisy anemones and a bumblebee for this extra-large acrylic lucite. Applied plastic shank. Signed reverse. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#103 Art Nouveau Framed Shell
Wavelike undulations in silvered brass create a frame for the mirror-like surface of the gray ocean pearl background. Silvered mount with beaded border. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#104 Bird and Nestlings
A mother bird tends to her three nestlings on this ceramic jasperware by Stella Rzanski. Signed SR ‘83. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#105 Lucite Thistles
Extra-large reverse-carved acrylic thistles, signed and dated. Applied plastic shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#106 Hibiscus Impression Inlay
A silvered hibiscus flower and foliage is impression inlaid in a slightly convex and finely lined black glass. Brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#107 Lily of the Valley Border Jewel
Art nouveau stylized lily-of-the-valley stalks and an inner paste border decorate the brass mount for the oval amber glass jewel. German backmark. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#108 Gingko Leaves Brass
Gingko leaves decorate this one piece brass as the tree branch twines around to form the irregular border shape. An uncommon plant life not often found on a button. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#109 Basse Taille Owl
Basse taille enamel owl on a branch with the lustrous moon in the background. Good linear shape. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#110 Glass Eye Parrot
A relief parrot head in profile with a yellow glass eye on this medium flat brass disc. Reverse shows back plate and copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#111 Leda and the Swan
Risqué Victorian brass pictorial of Leda’s seduction by Zeus in the guise of a swan. Shown BBB 175-5. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#112 Dragonfly Jewel
Aesthetic Movement openwork jewel with polychrome pastes in a detailed brass setting. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#113 18th-C Wine Celebration
A female Bacchante raises a wineglass aloft, while a putto dances beside her to the tune piped by a little satyr. Painted on natural material under glass with copper rim and loop shank, and a gilded copper back. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#114 Bimini Glass Muse
XLG heavily gilded oval Bimini glass featuring a full-figured depiction of the goddess Diana. The background shows dark in the photograph. However, it is actually clear glass over dark foil. Bimini backmarked plate on the reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#115 Grapes and Vine Shell Overlay
Beautiful abalone pierced carved pearl overlay with grapevine and grapes embellished with two cut steels. The steels attach the overlay to the darker shell back. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#116 Screech Owl on Wood
A cheeky screech owl perched atop a flower-adorned branch mounted on wood. Brass loop with small plate shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#117 Enameled Glass on Shell
A black glass enameled plaquette with pansy and lily-of-the-valley is framed in copper and mounted on pearl. The pearl rectangle is set in a copper reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#118 Cobalt Glass Lacy Pictorial
Deep cobalt Div. I Lacy glass in the scarce shamrock design. Silver luster embellishment. Original reverse paint. Brass two-way shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#119 Jeweled Grasshopper
A handpainted and transfer grasshopper on pink-blushed ceramic set in metal with paste border. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#120 Dragonfly Inlay Horn
Silver dragonfly inlay in an oval horn button. Molded self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#121 Black Glass Pictorial Trio
Three small Div. I black glass pictorials include a blanketed Elephant, two Birds and a Rain Barrel, and two Hounds – all with deep rich iridescent aurora luster. The birds have a deep groove self shank. The others have brass loop and plate shanks. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#122 Big Tiger
Extra-large Satsuma button with gold-encrusted tiger and a gold-encrusted red border. Self shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#123 Regal Lion
This brass features a regal lion surmounted on a pedestal with oak leaves and acorn against a dark tinted background. Japanned steel reverse with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#124 Arita Horse
A realistic horse in Arita porcelain from Japan is regally outfitted with elaborate saddle and gold bridle and reins. Molded self-shank and impressed backmark. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#125 Cricket Cage Jewel
Hexagonal cricket cage mount features an orange faceted jewel. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#126 Large Tole Work
Unusual Div. I button features a tole gilt-filled engraved center in a decorated gilt mount, including the reverse. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#127 Georgian Pearl
Elegant pearl with inset faceted cobalt glass and an escutcheon of repoussé silver. Gilded copper half-dome and loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#128 Georgian Balloon Painting
Watercolor and pen-and-ink painting on paper of a colorful hot air balloon. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#129 Large Coachman’s Pearl
A fine early Victorian shell button featuring an engraved and pigmented coach-and-four and three coachmen. Swaged in heavy brass loop shank with plate. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#130 Engraved Steel
Unusual large early steel with a four lobed engraved leafy pinwheel design in low relief and contrasted with the darker background. Slightly convex. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#131 Elephant in Bidri
This extra-large oval button features a hardworking elephant hauling a log painted on vegetable ivory and mounted in bidri. Heavy loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#132 P.T. Barnum’s Home
This brass pictorial features Iranistan, the house built in 1848 by circus magnate, P.T. Barnum, at a cost of over $150,000. Unfortunately, this Bridgeport, Connecticut home was destroyed by fire in 1857. Shown BBB PL 262-27. Japanned reverse with brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#133 Lion Tamer
The antics of a lion surprise this clown on this beautifully handworked button by studio artist Anne Howe. Moveable circus “hoop.” Printed cotton fabric. Red Peking Glass ring. Candy stripe and red seed beads for the border. Black suede reverse. Loop shank. Reverse signature fabric badge. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#134 Bakelite Circus Elephant
A medium and charming butterscotch bakelite button in the realistic shape of a performing circus elephant with painted detail. Inserted metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#135 Elephant Trio
Three antique elephants carved from natural material include a realistic tusked head, a full-figure realistic, and a full-figure pierced design with border. Loop and self shanks. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#136 Victoria Taxco Silver
A medium silver button by Taxco designer “Victoria”, otherwise known as Ana Nunez Brilanti. The double flower design has silver bead centers. Silver loop shank. Back marked VICTORIA TAXCO STERLING, MADE IN MEXICO, 3. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#137 Paper Lithograph Bee
Scarce bee paper lithograph over a mold. Tinted brass rim with threadback reverse. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#138 Filigree Spider on Web
Fantastic early 20th century wire-work spider web with three-dimensional silver filigree-decorated spider. Previous owner purchased this button at the iconic NYC Tender Buttons shop in the 1990s. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#139 Butterfly DUG
Triangular design under glass (DUG) features a butterfly of iridescent morpho butterfly wing in a gilt silver mount. Original red leather case included (button originally from a set of three). Reverse shows maker’s mark, boar’s head silver standard ( for .800+ silver content), and BREVETÉ DANS TOUS LES PAYS (Patented in all countries). Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#140 Ruby Passementerie Glass
Scarce ruby glass passementerie. Glass pieces individually riveted to the metal back. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#141 Wedgwood Medallion Pearl Pinshank
Wedgwood ceramic medallion pinshanked to the delicate carved MOP with scalloped and spindle-point border. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#142 DUG with Celluloid Rim
Attractive six-point Gothic star design under faceted glass for this XLG metal mount with celluloid rim. Brass loop with plate shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#143 Stork on Pearl
Lovely waterfowl button with brass escutcheon on carved, pierced, and gilded mother of pearl. Applied brass border with cut steels. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.