Story Button: Puss In Boots

Puss In Boots

NBS Small, 5/8"

One Piece

Stamped & Pierced Brass

Faceted & Riveted Cut Steels

Puss In Boots

Back

This exquisite little button is about 5/8" in circumference. Puss In Boots, wearing his dashing cloak, sword, high topped boots, and plumed hat, holds the mouse by the tale before he will bring him to his open mouth. The mouse, formerly a not-so-clever ogre, clings to the petal of the flower with his trembling paws.

Made of one piece stamped and pierced brass, this button is enhanced with seven faceted and riveted cut steels. Typically, it would also have been made in a size medium, and a size large. It is remarkable workmanship for such a tiny item, and dates to c1870s to c1880s.

If you like this button, or have a question, please leave a comment!

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Minerva: Mythology Button

~ Minerva ~

c1880s

Brass and Silver Metal

Two Piece Construction

NBS Medium

~ Minerva ~

Back View

I acquired this button at a bargain price. The picture on the listing was blurred, but the price was right, and I took the chance on her as a compliment to the button, Winter. She arrived in perfect condition, in need only of a light buffing with a cotton cloth to remove old polish, which thankfully, hadn't destroyed her patina (It's best not to polish brass or metal buttons, but to carefully buff them). She is Minerva, goddess of wisdom, and patron of industry, agriculture and the arts. Note her dolphin helmet, the sheaves of wheat in her hair, and the head of Medusa worn at her breast. The pierced (openwork) button is in two parts. It is difficult to tell from the picture, but the brass Minerva is inset into silver metal.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Four Seasons: Winter

~ Winter ~

Art Nouveau

Brass, NBS Medium

~ Winter ~

Back View

This fantastic button is said to be one of four seasons, but I've never seen the other three. The detail is exceptional, and the slightly concave button is only about 1" wide. The patina is the original finish, plus a hundred years of "mellowing." The button is made of brass, with silver gilt at her shoulder and near her face. I love the way her hood and her hair blend with the woods, the knowing expression on her face, and her bewildering agelessness. Is she girl or woman?

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Woman With Swirling Hair

~ Woman With Swirling Hair ~

Art Nouveau

Brass, NBS Medium

~ Woman With Swirling Hair ~
Back View

My nickname for this button is: Desire. I've viewed this button from many angles and in various qualities of light. Her expression is always slightly secretive, always seductive, and joyful. Sometimes her eyes appear shut, other times half closed. One wonders, when the artist created her, if he (or she) had a particular woman in mind. Some button art was inspired by a known painting or illustration. If anyone has any information about this button design, its artist, or its manufacturer, please let me know. The seller identified it as antique, and Art Nouveau. I actually own two of this button in excellent condition, and another with all of its one hundred year old patina, sadly, removed.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Pewter Castle

~ Pewter Castle ~

c1880s

Three Piece Construction, Size NBS Large,

Bright Cut Pewter with Steel Liner,

Tinted Brass Rim, and Japanned Back

I bought this button a while back, a 120 year old plus button, 1.5" wide, in excellent condition. This was the photo from the listing. As pictured, it actually has the reddish tint on the domed tower roof, the three dimensional relief effect, the pebbly sky and the textured bricks. The button is shiny bright where the pewter has been cut for the roof, the pole, the parapet, the windows, and the pond beneath the tree. Notice the waving flag and the three flying birds.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Three Strong Women

~ Woman with Swirling Hair~

~Winter ~ ~Minerva~

These women all deserve a better photograph!

All three are made with brass. "Woman with Swirling Hair" is one piece. "Winter" is one piece construction with silver gilt. "Minerva" is two piece openwork (pierced) construction, brass over silver metal. They are part of my personal collection. Click on the photo and look at their faces: These women know secrets! I'll post individual photos as soon as I learn how to better photograph them.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Woman of the Sun

~ Woman of the Sunflower ~

Brass, NBS Small

"Woman of the Sunflower" is my own title for a recent button acquisition. It is an NBS (National Button Society) size small, about 1/2" across. It is concave, made of one piece gilded brass. I do wish the button had been a medium, as described!

This would be even more incredible in a size large, but the photographer did this button justice. It's a fine example of the art of button making, even stamped and molded and mass produced. I respond to the design of the button, and the strength and wisdom in the woman's face.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

More About Me

I'm a member of The National Button Society, and I've been a button collector for many years. I collect antique picture buttons in every material from about the 1860s through the 1930s. Though I appreciate pearl, glass, vegetable ivory, pewter, wood, and celluloid, I am most drawn to antique picture buttons, made in one to three parts from various backgrounds and metals, particularly brass. Picture buttons are like holding a miniature sculpture, a piece of history in the palm of your hands.

My favorite clothing buttons include representations from the 1870s through the Art Nouveau era, when there was a nostalgia for all things medieval or mythological; and graceful women, innately strong and beautiful. As I photograph my extensive button collection, I will add posts, and when it is known, from my personal study or the button literature, I'll include popular titles, a history of the button, and information about the button's materials. I've also added links on the sidebar to sites about button collecting. Please feel free to comment on my posts and add to the discussion.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button