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

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

Medieval Woman Wearing a Hennin and a Fur Trimmed Gown

Medieval Woman

NBS Large, 1 7/16"

c1880s

One Piece

Stamped and Pierced Brass

Medieval Woman - Back

The Lady, perhaps a Queen, wears a hennin (conical hat with veil) and a fur trimmed gown. She touches his armor as if she were touching the shoulder of her King. This button is constructed in one piece stamped and pierced (openwork) brass, with exceptional detail, from the gathers in her skirt to the texture in her headdress and the fur that trims the bodice of her gown. A small bag dangles from her hip. She looks to me as though she waits for his return, or, she contemplates his leaving for a noble quest. If she could, she would go in his stead.


Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Imp of Pain ~ Chiseling the Face of the Moon

Imp of Pain

(AKA) Chiseling the Face of the Moon

c1880s or earlier

NBS Large, 1 7/16"

Three Piece Brass

Leaf Border, Steel Liner,

Brass Escutcheon, Brown Background,

Reddish Tint, Japanned Back

I've seen this button referred to as The Imp of Pain; also as Chiseling the Face of the Moon. It's an NBS Large, exhibiting a great amount of detail and multi-step construction, including the brown painted background, a steel liner (discolored from its original bright silver), a brass leaf border, and the imp and the moon molded in a one piece brass, raised and 3-D escutcheon. In addition, the brass border and escutcheon are tinted in red. The back of the button is Japanned black, with an inserted brass shank.

In the photograph, I "touched up" minor scratches in the brown background, which are barely noticeable when the button is viewed at its original size of almost 1 1/2". (Please note: Buttons for sale should always be photographed exactly as is, imperfections in particular, so the buyer knows exactly what to expect. Minor flaws in an exceptional button are acceptable to many buyers, due to the age of the buttons, but a buyer should always be fully informed of condition, and the pictures are more telling than any verbal description.)

The moon looks reasonably comfortable, despite the title of the button; but the imp, with his deep frown, appears particularly unhappy with his work. Perhaps he's just concentrating.

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

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

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