Trumpeter: French White Metal Button

Trumpeter

Stamped and Pierced

French White Metal

c1940s

NBS Large, 1 7/16"

Trumpeter - Back

The trumpeter wears a helmet, a cloak, decorated sleeves, and a sword strapped to his belt. He may be sounding a charge. I enjoy the button's attention to detail, including his face, the position of his body, and the folds in his clothing, but compared to the brass buttons of the late nineteenth century, French white metal buttons from the 1940s appear "cobbier," and the embellishments are more "busy" than accomplished. Still, it's a great button with a great design. (Also, I'm showing the buttons three to five times their actual size, exaggerating any flaws in design or workmanship.)

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Battle Knight on a Charging Horse: French White Metal Button

Knight on Horseback

Stamped and Pierced

French White Metal

c1940s

NBS Large, 1 1/2"

Knight on Horseback - Back

The charging knight wears full battle armor, right down to his spurs. The button is made of stamped and pierced French white metal. Note the surface detailing on the knight's armor and his shield, and on the horse's blanket. I enjoy the sense of motion in this button. As far as I know, it does not copy an earlier antique, and is a unique design, made in France in the 1940s. If anyone reading this post knows anything more about this button, or French white metal buttons in general, please add a comment. I know how to recognize one, and those I've purchased have been identified as French white metal, but I don't know much more about them.
Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Troubadour of Love: French White Metal

Troubadour

French White Metal

Inset Marcasite

Fancy Border

NBS Large, 1 7/16"

c1940s

Heart Shield

Troubadour - Back

The blunt faced minstrel is down on bended knee, perhaps to his love, playing a guitarra. The button is constructed of one piece stamped and pierced white metal, made in France in the 1940s. This button is unusual; rather than cut steels, the fancy border is embellished with what I believe is marcasite. Sixteen marcasites alternate with hearts in the border, and four additional marcasites decorate the central image, including a marcasite set into a heart. The heart is emblazoned on a banner or a shield.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button