Romeo and Juliet: Medieval Couple

Romeo and Juliet

Art Nouveau

Stamped and Pierced

White Metal

Couples Button

NBS Medium, 1 1/16"

Romeo and Juliet - Back

This button is known as "Romeo and Juliet." It is a wonderful depiction of romantic "courtly" life. A fancy dressed Romeo presents a parrot or a cockatoo to his love. The actual button is barely over 1" wide. It is a stamped and pierced white metal button, probably made in the Art Nouveau era. The gentleman wears tights, pointed shoes, puffed sleeves and a plumed hat. The lady wears a lovely gown with a long train, and a hennin with a flowing veil. Note the patterned floor, and the framed effect of the button's design, as if it were a woodcut or an illustration for a book. In natural light, the actual metal is a duller silver than a French white metal button, with just a hint of "orange" patina.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Art Nouveau Woman: Flower Petal Hat

Art Nouveau Woman

Flower Petal Hat

Molded Brass with Gilt

Overexposed to Show Detail

NBS Small, 1/2"

This lovely young woman, art nouveau, wears a flower petal cap. She is only 1/2" wide, with a thoughtful, somewhat pensive expression. I wonder what she is thinking.

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

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