what are these button things called? date?

eel

Registered Guest
Through some dilligent digging ending in black hands, I made a nice score of all these button/fastener things, although they weren't exactily cheap, I love them.

They un-hook from their chains, I suspect some are bakelite but haven't tested any, they have metal shanks (I think that's what they are called) on the back for attachment.

Some I couldn't find their partner, but that's OK I plan on making necklaces with most anyway. There are also a few just buttons I couldn't resist pictured also. Most are tarnished, some pretty bad, but I like the look and will probably leave them that way.

I just LOVE the ones towards the top of the first few photos, kind of a Victorian/Steampunk look to them

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whooooaaa!!!

absolute treasure!!

the blue (dark) looks like lapis, perhaps

the deep reddish/brick-esche color looks like carnelian

wow

wowowow

they do look like buckles...hey, Claire collects buckles, maybe she can confirm or not...
 
Whenever I've had them they were by themselves as one set, at the throat or a little lower on a cloak or fur stole of sorts. I don't think in the early part of the century they would have been using several of the same to close up a jacket or sweater....likely they were the one show piece on a solid fur or wool cloak/cape/capelet.

Dont know if they have a specific name.

Ang
 
Thanks for the responses, you all should have seen the pile I was digging through, tons of stunning buttons and parts. A real button collectors dream, but I knew buttons would sit unused in a pile. I do regret not getting more, but am so happy with these. I think they'll make stunning jewelry.
I don't think any of the stones are real and doubt there are precious metals on any, exept one chain has tarnished like sterling. They are pretty good size also, for example, each part of the top piece is a good 2"

does anyone have an idea of age? some have a deco look and others look older.
I fished around for a name for these things and couldn't find one either :clueless:
 
I think the proper (or traditional) name is 'cloak clasp'....great collection! And they're 20s and 30s.
 
Found this one-page feature on cloak clasps in "Popular Jewelry: 1840-1940" by Roseann Ettinger:

cloakclasps.jpg


Says they began becoming fashionable around 1860. If there's any text there that you're interested in but can't make out, let me know and I'll type it out for. Heading downstairs for breakfast now ...
 
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