Sir Launfal's Dream: Seated Knight with a Lance and Shield

Sir Launfal's Dream
Seated Knight with Lance
Stamped and Tinted Brass
Japanned Back
NBS Small, 5/8"
c1880s

Sir Launfal's Dream - Back

When I purchased this button, the dealer described it as Sir Renfel's Dream. I've since learned the button is correctly known as Sir Launfal's Dream after a collection of poems and a specific poem by James Russell Lowell titled The Vision of Sir Launfal, written by Lowell in 1848.

The Internet Archive describes it as "a narrative poem about a proud medieval knight who spends his life seeking abroad for the Holy Grail in vain, only to find it at home when he humbly gives a crust of bread and cup of water to a leper." The Archive contains several editions of the poetry collection, with differing introductions about Lowell and his work.

This is an NBS small, two part picture button, made of stamped and tinted brass. The name of the button, alone, is intriguing, but the image of the dreaming knight, seated before the castle walls, fully armored right down to his spurs, his shield emblazoned with a star and a moon, clutching his lance in the crook of his arm, makes me glad I found his story. This button's detail is not sharp, but the image is evocative.

You can read the text of the poem and see engraved illustrations from an early edition by clicking on this link: The Vision of Sir Launfal.

Here's a wonderful excerpt from the text of the poem, which is a great companion to the design of the button:

"My golden spurs now bring to me,
And bring to me my richest mail,
For to-morrow I go over land and sea
In search of the Holy Grail;
Shall never a bed for me be spread,
Nor shall a pillow be under my head,
Till I begin my vow to keep;
Here on the rushes will I sleep,
And perchance there may come a vision true
Ere day create the world anew."
Slowly Sir Launfal's eyes grew dim,
Slumber fell like a cloud on him,
And into his soul the vision flew.

Image and Text © 2010 Once Upon A Button

King Arthur with a Triple Bar Shank

King Arthur
Brass Picture Button
A P & Cie Paris
NBS Large
c1880s

King Arthur

Button Back

This King Arthur is a one piece solid brass picture button with a triple bar shank, backmarked A P & Cie Depose Paris. Impressive!

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Knight with Mace and Shield

Knight with Mace and Shield

c1880s

NBS Large

Tinted Stamped Brass

Three Piece Button

Knight with Mace and Shield

Japanned Back

I purchased this button knowing the knight's shield is dented. Some of my buttons I'm happy to accept with damage, if the price is right, and the damage fits the character of the button and the scene it depicts. I might expect a battle weary knight to have a dented shield.

The button is made of stamped brass. It is constructed of a front, a rim, and a japanned back. Note the scaled armor that almost makes him look like a Roman soldier, rather than a medieval knight, but the mace and the decorated shield place him in a later time.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

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

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

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

Jousting Knights: Shield Border

Jousting Knights

Shield Border

c1880s

One Piece

Stamped and Pierced Brass

NBS Large, 1 5/8"

Jousting Knights - Back

This button captures the moment of impact when two armored knights collide in the joust. A lance breaks as one rider attempts to unhorse the other, gaining the victory. The button is made of one piece stamped and pierced brass with an applied brass shank. The fancy border is comprised of twelve floral medallions alternated with twelve unique shields. Even the wild eyed horses wear armor.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

King Arthur: Knight in Armor

King Arthur
Knight in Armor
One Piece
Stamped and Pierced Brass
NBS Large, 1 1/2"
Fancy Border

King Arthur - Back

A distinguished King Arthur, wearing a full suit of armor and a plumed helmet, holds his sword, Excalibur. His shield is emblazoned with a half moon and a six pointed star.

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