Two King Arthur Buttons with Cut Steels

King Arthur

Knight with Shield and Sword

Stamped and Pierced Brass

Cut Steels in 4 Sizes

NBS Large

c1880s

King Arthur - Button Back



King Arthur
Knight with Shield and Sword
Stamped and Pierced Brass
Cut Steel Border
NBS Large
C1880s


King Arthur - Button Back


Two King Arthurs
Stamped and Pierced Brass
Fancy Borders
One with 4 Sizes of Cut Steels
One with Same Size Cut Steels



Two King Arthurs - Button Backs

These two buttons demonstrate how the same button die can result in buttons with similar but varied finishes and embellishment. The design is identical to a button also known as King Arthur featured in an earlier post, that is equally impressive, but without the cut steel border.

One of the things I enjoy about button collecting, is the way each button-- based on the original finish, the actions of aging, and whether someone has polished the button through the years-- develops its own character.

The buttons are made of one piece stamped and pierced brass, with a faceted and riveted cut steel border. The first King Arthur has cut steels in four graduated sizes, and the brass is muted and warm. The second button has a cut steel border with steels all of the same size, with the bright effect of polished brass. Of the two, I enjoy the first button the most, but my favorite of the three, in terms of patina, is the one without cut steels.

King Arthur wears a full suit of armor and a plumed helmet. He grips his sword, Excalibur, and a shield decorated with a six pointed star and a half moon.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

King Arthur: Knight with Cut Steel Border

King Arthur

Knight Wearing a Helmet

Stamped and Pierced Brass

c1880s

NBS Large

King Arthur - Button Back

This detailed King Arthur wears a plumed helmet. He has a distinguished face. The button is one piece stamped and pierced brass. The fancy border is embellished with 14 faceted and riveted cut steels. I like the dark patina. Sadly, someone at some point, cut the button's shank, leaving the loop elongated and broken. I knew this when I purchased the button, so I was happy with the button find, since I've never seen another like it.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Mother and Daughter Dragons with Cut Steel Bodies

Dragon/Cockatrice

Fabulous Creature

Mother and Daughter Buttons

NBS Small, NBS Large

c1880s

Dragon/Cockatrice

Mother and Daughter Buttons

Japanned Back

Buttons of the same design in two sizes, one larger and one smaller, are known in the "button world" as Mother and Daughter buttons. Often, some aspects of the "daughter" button are less distinct, as in the border of the smaller button, but the brass escutcheon dragon/cockatrice figures, and the dragon's cut steel bodies, are nearly identical, right down to the rooster comb, the snake-like neck, the open beak, and the detailed feathers.

The button depicts a version of the evil cockatrice, half serpent and half rooster, evolved in the middle ages from the concept of the basilisk. For more information on the cockatrice, and to compare the button's designs, see my earlier post, Fabulous Creature: Screen Back Dragon/ Cockatrice. The smaller of the two buttons is also pictured in my post, Dueling Dragons with Cut Steels.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Dueling Dragons with Cut Steels: Antique Picture Buttons

Dragon/Cockatrice

with Cut Steel Body

c1880s

Two Piece

Tinted Brass

Japanned Back

NBS Small, 11/16"

Dragon with Cut Steels
c1880s
One Piece
Tinted Brass
NBS Small, 11/16"


Dueling Dragons with Cut Steels



Dueling Dragons - Backs

These buttons are great examples of the art of button construction and design. They both depict dragons (AKA fabulous creatures) with cut steels. The dragon with a cut steel body is made in three main parts with a front, a back, and a rim. He is a depiction of a cockatrice (without his legs or rooster comb). The second dragon is a one piece stamped brass button with four riveted and faceted cut steels. The term "fabulous creature" applies to all dragon or dragon-like creatures depicted on buttons. When placed together, the two creatures appear to be in opposition. I'm fascinated by the exceptional detail on buttons that are just shy of 3/4".

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Knight at the Door Bearing a Shield

Knight at the Door

c1880s

NBS Large, 1 3/8"

One Piece Stamped Brass

Riveted Cut Steels

Border with Screw Heads

Knight at the Door - Angled View


Knight at the Door - Back


Knight at the Door - Three Brothers


Knight at the Door - Three Brothers - Back

This button is often referred to as: Knight at the Door, even though he is actually a knight bearing a shield. I love this button. I first acquired the button without cut steels, and of the three, I enjoy the first button's "patina" the most. The button is slightly concave, and has a definite sense of three dimensionality, with the knight standing in relief from his textured background. He wears chain maille, gauntlets, a shoulder pauldron, a gorget, and a plumed helmet.

Five faceted and riveted cut steels decorate this one piece stamped brass button. The "brother" buttons, even the NBS small, exhibit the same quality of workmanship, and the same applied shank. Note the screw heads in the border and the rich detailing of the knight's mustached face and his armor.


Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Fierce Crusader Knight: King Richard the Lionheart

Fierce Crusader Knight

c1880s

One Piece Stamped Brass

Riveted and Faceted Cut Steels

NBS Large, 1 7/16"

Fierce Crusader Knight - Back

When I saw his face in a button listing, I knew I had to have him, damage and all. He is missing one cut steel. I think it adds to his character. Note the lion on his shield, and the Knight's chain he wears at his breast . He may be a depiction of King Richard the Lionheart. The button is made of one piece stamped brass, with 12 faceted and riveted cut steels embellishing a brick border.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Falcon Huntress

Falcon Huntress

c1880s

One Piece

Stamped and Pierced Brass

Riveted Cut Steels

Fancy Border

NBS Large, 1 5/8"

Falcon Huntress - Back

This glorious button is known as the Falcon Huntress. The Lady rides side saddle, and her horse gracefully leaps a fence as her loyal hound runs beneath it. The button is made of one piece stamped and pierced (openwork) brass, with 12 faceted cut steels riveted into the fancy border. She wears a high necked gown and a cone shaped hennin with a flowing veil.
Image and Text © 2009 Once Upon A Button

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