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

Trumpeter of Sakingen

Trumpeter of Sakingen

Stamped and Pierced Brass

Cut-Outs, Shiny Steel Liner

c1880s

NBS Large

Trumpeter of Sakingen

Japanned Back

The Trumpeter of Sakingen is a common button design, but this version is not a common button. Note the cut-outs for the half moon, the city windows, and the waters of the Rhine River. It is a three part stamped, tinted, and pierced brass button, with a shiny metal liner, a japanned back, and a silver rim. I paid about six dollars, but I've seen the same button priced at fifty dollars. There is a cut-out for a full moon in an even rarer version.

This button is another great example of the link between art, design, and popular culture. You can read the detailed story of The Trumpeter of Sakingen within the text of the Legends of the Rhine by H. A. Geurber (New York: A. S. Barnes & Co, c1895) found at the Internet Archive. Section 316 through 321 is Guerber's summary of the original poem, The Trumpeter of Sakingen by Scheffel. The story was made into an opera by Nessler, which is probably the reason for this button design's wide popularity.

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

Medieval Collection II

Medieval Theme Picture Buttons

c1880s

Look forward to these buttons and more, in upcoming posts. This is a "working" card of buttons, not a permanent display, the shanks poked through archival card stock. Some of my favorites include the King Arthur buttons, the Walking Man, the Dragon, the Fabulous Creatures, the Trumpeter of Sankingens, the Castles, the Scottish Chiefs, the Crusader Knight, the Jester, the Medieval Villages - I believe I've named them all! If you click on the image, you will see them in greater detail.

In future posts, they will be featured individually, with sharper focus and a photograph of their button backs. If you click on the label, Medieval Theme, below this post, you will view amazing buttons of Knights, Ladies, Minstrels, and Fabulous Creatures.

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

Landsknechts Trumpeter: Antique Picture Button

Landsknechts Trumpeter

with Short Sword and Shield

c1880s

Stamped and Pierced Brass

NBS Large, 1 7/16"

Landsknechts Trumpeter - Button Back

The medieval trumpeter is made of stamped and pierced brass. Note his curled hair, his puffed and slashed doublet and hose, ruffled sleeves, and the plumed feathers in his cap, the dress of a German Landsknechts mercenary soldier. He adorns himself with a short sword and a decorated shield, and his trumpet with a plain, unfurled banner. The actual button is a uniform golden tone, but the photograph, with its slightly reddish cast, shows the elaborate detail.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Fabulous Creature: Screen Back Dragon/ Cockatrice

Fabulous Creature

Screen Back Dragon/ Cockatrice

NBS Large

Extra Large, 2" Wide

c1880s

Steel Metal Liner

Tinted Two Piece

Dragon Escutcheon

Fabulous Creature

Screen Back Dragon/ Cockatrice

Button Back

This truly Fabulous Creature is a 2 inch wide, extra large antique clothing button, circa 1880s, depicting a dragon-like creature known as a cockatrice. It would be categorized as an NBS large, but a button of this size is rare. The screen back is also rare. The main part of the button is made of one piece brass, with the front of the button constructed of the steel liner, the screen back, and the brass escutcheon of the fabulous creature.

The photograph barely captures the majesty of this impressive button. The shiny metal liner is perfect, twinkling like the shiny bright metal you can observe in the photograph below the creature's breast, in contrast to the screen back, which is tinted almost black. In dragon mythology, a cockatrice is a cross between a rooster and a snake, evolved from the concept of the basilisk. Note the creature's beak, comb, claws, and feathers, and his otherwise dragon-like appearance.

The flower tail is also a distinguishing mark, not because it bears any relation to a cockatrice, but because many button collectors are enthralled with owning "flower tail" dragons, the flower at the end of the tail added as an embellishment. Special thanks to my friend, Christine, for letting me know some of the dragons on my buttons are the "evil" cockatrice, lain by a rooster but hatched by a toad, its very glance capable of killing animal or human.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Falcon Huntress with a Pierced Border

Falcon Huntress

Stamped and Tinted Brass

Pierced Border

c1880s

NBS Large, 1 3/8"

Falcon Huntress - Pierced Border - Back

If this Falcon Huntress seems familiar, it is because she is patterned after the Falcon Huntress I featured in an earlier post. Both share the same basic design. The Falcon Huntress rides side saddle as she leaps a fence, her loyal hound running beneath it. She wears a high necked gown and a hennin with a flowing veil. This button is a stamped and tinted brass disc framed by a stamped, tinted and pierced brass border. I enjoy both buttons, but my favorite of the two is the version with the cut steel border.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

Immo and Hildegard: Story Button

Immo and Hildegard

Story Button

Stamped and Pierced

Tinted Brass

Shiny Metal Liner

NBS Medium, 1 3/16"

c1890s

Immo and Hildegard - Japanned Back



~ Immo and Hildegard ~

from Gustav Freytag's The Wren's Nest

Printed in the book

Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham, 1810-1897

Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama.

A Revised American Edition

of the Readers' Handbook Volume II (1892)

Immo and Hildegard

Artist - H. Kaulbach

Printed in the book

Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham, 1810-1897

Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama.

A revised American Edition

of the Readers' Handbook Volume II (1892)

There is a beautiful story to go with this button. The button is known as Immo and Hildegard, or, the Lover's Meeting. It is a stamped and pierced brass button, mounted over a shiny metal liner, with a japanned back. At 1 3/16", it is 1/16" shy of being an NBS Large. The streaks in the silver liner are an artifact of the photograph, and do not appear on the actual button. If you click on the image above, you can read about Immo and Hildegard. The full text is available from the The University of Wisconsin's Digital Collections, as printed in Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, circa 1892. The entry starts on Page 204 and continues on Page 205, with the print and a frontispiece sandwiched between them.

Freytag's story of Immo and Hildegard, and H. Kaulbach's image are in the public domain. I wonder if H. Kaulbach had anything to do with the design of this button, since it is clearly patterned after the woodcut illustrating Freytag's story. I also haven't been able to determine how long a work the original volume, The Wren's Nest, might be, because what is printed in Character Sketches is flowery and romantic, but brief. Freytag, a controversial German novelist and playwright, lived from 1816-1895. Kaulbach is probably Hermann Kaulbauch (1846-1909), a German artist best known for his portraits of children.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medieval Collection I

Medieval Theme Picture Buttons

I'll be featuring these buttons in upcoming posts. The buttons in brass date from c1860s to c 1880s. The "white metal" buttons are French, circa 1940s, which were often reproductions of earlier buttons, or they are original designs. Themes range from knights to ladies to falconry to dragons, castles, musicians, and lovers. They are one, two, or three piece construction. Some of the buttons are embellished with riveted cut steels, and many are pierced (openwork). Every button was purchased individually. This is a working "card" of buttons (shanks punched through archival card stock), not a permanent display. I enjoy all of my buttons, but, if this group were the only buttons I could own, I would be a happy woman. Click on the image to see the buttons in greater detail.


Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button