What's for breakfast this morning? How about these buttery octagons in a beautifully pale shade of creamed corn Bakelite. Perusing the goods of an antique dealer recently, I took one look at these simple-yet-sweet buttons and said, "I want those." Nothing super fancy here, but I've never seen this particular design before and decided to snatch up this lovely old trio. Quaint finds, these likely go back to the 1920's.
-Sherbert McGee
It appears that we're having a black-tie event today with this amazing old button at rest on my funeral attire. Once a year, I like to array a button next to my black necktie and here we are. This button features a dollop of bright red Bakelite set on an elegant square of apple juice Bakelite that's been carved on both sides. A fancy treasure from the 1920's, centered fittingly on black silk.
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BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Normally I'm not a huge fan of insect-shaped buttons, although you might recall that I posted that glorious orange butterfly last year in May. And here's another exception to my no-bugs allowed policy. A two-tone ladybug in tested Bakelite, the body is dark maroon (or burgundy) while the face is chocolate brown. Notice the pair of eyes etched into Bakelite. Also, someone did a good job of staying in the lines while painting bright yellow spots in all the dotted indentations on this little lady. A bit of unattractive patina rests in the line between the wings, but otherwise she's a lovely bug—estimated to go back to the 1940's. If you like animal buttons, be sure to check out my blog next month since I plan on posting a full week of them. Coming soon: a stampede of beastly buttons!
-Sherbert McGee
For many years now, these toggles have been in my collection and every time I look at them I'm continuously intrigued. Pudgy and ovular, they're wrapped in carvings upon carvings with a busy texture in black in one case and chocolate brown in the other. While the designs are similar, it looks like the brown dude got a deeper treatment with the sculpted points achieved as gouges whereas the same design on the black toggle is more superficial. I've always referred to these toggles as "deformed pine cones" although now that I'm studying them today, I see them as grotesque eggs. Both buttons tested positive for Bakelite. True oddities, circa 1928.
-Sherbert McGee
Well, here we are at 800 button posts across more than three years of Bakelite button blogging and I have to say it's been a lot of fun. Am I finished yet? No siree! To celebrate today's big number, here's four transparent Bakelite (apple juice) buttons with an unusual carving on the undersides. The middle sections of these buttons also tested positive for Bakelite and they are chocolate brown, bright red, cranberry and a straightforward shade of green. These buttons came together, not as a set, but one button at a time until I realized I had a handsome quartet on my hands. They go back to the 1930's. Stay tuned for plenty more buttons and thanks for following my kooky old blog.
-Sherbert McGee
Totally unique and wildly carved, check out these huge black coat buttons made of licorice Bakelite and highlighted in the perfect dose of patina. Dating back to the 1920's or 1930's, the carvings on these buttons sport a spiral and pineapple design. Chic and sophisticated, these buttons turned up over a year ago on one of my trips to Arizona. The patina equals an evenly settled shade of golden dust and couldn't accentuate these antiques more nicely.
-Sherbert McGee
What's up, doc? Here's a real spruce button in the shape of a carrot and made of pure Bakelite. Etched with carroty dimples and painted green around the stem, it's a real charmer with a fun vibe. Best of all, this button is a brilliantly lustrous tone of orange that I don't find too often in my search for old Bakelite. A gleaming and cartoony dose of beta-carotene! This button was part of the "trinket jewelry" fad that peppered fashions throughout the 1940's.
-Sherbert McGee
Cue the glitter and let's drink carbonated beverages under a rain of confetti. Here's my button for the New Year and yes, it's a party button. Made of apple juice Bakelite, this old zinger from the 1920's boasts a black midpoint with flecks of shaved tinsel dancing inside the transparent border. Notice how the button is carved with a roller coaster of highs and lows—creating something of a flowered or petaled effect along the top. It's a jubilant button for a jubilant occasion. Happy 2019!
Cheers,
Sherbert McGee
