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

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

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

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

Pewter Castle

~ Pewter Castle ~

c1880s

Three Piece Construction, Size NBS Large,

Bright Cut Pewter with Steel Liner,

Tinted Brass Rim, and Japanned Back

I bought this button a while back, a 120 year old plus button, 1.5" wide, in excellent condition. This was the photo from the listing. As pictured, it actually has the reddish tint on the domed tower roof, the three dimensional relief effect, the pebbly sky and the textured bricks. The button is shiny bright where the pewter has been cut for the roof, the pole, the parapet, the windows, and the pond beneath the tree. Notice the waving flag and the three flying birds.

Image and Text © 2009 Anne AKA Once Upon A Button