Fat as a puffed pastry, towering as a toadstool and lovelier than a baron's brooch, this major hunk of two-tiered Bakelite is one of my absolute wowzers. The base is creamed corn and piggybacking on top of it lies an outlandish dollop of swirled butterscotch. The bottom section is sliced at angles while the crown piece is carved into a blossomy bonbon, if not a queenly soufflé. A button so stocky and unique, I'm clueless as to how it ever slipped through a buttonhole. But here it is: Majestic, delicious and worthy of a grand jubilee.
Visit Doreen's online store:
BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Vogue as they come, here's a swanky and high-fashion assortment of four Bakelite rocker buttons in black licorice as well as apple juice. Not without a sprinkling of tinsel confetti, each button is infused with a glittery downpour for an eternal party (circa 1925) frozen inside this opulent quartet. Shape-wise, there are two types of rocker buttons here, but I situated them differently to show off the chic slants and various, art deco edges of the Bakelite. Clearly, these old vanity buttons once belonged to a fancy clique of dashing rascals. Strike a pose!
-Sherbert McGee
Here's an interesting trio of medium-sized rootbeer buttons, which I purchased earlier this year from my friend, Doreen. Each of these Bakelite buttons is marked with a pair of brass bands that almost look like staple heads. Clothing-wise, it's hard to say what these buttons belonged to, but can't you just picture them on a yellow sweater belonging to Hedy Lamarr in the late 1930's-early 40's?
Visit Doreen's online store:
BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Many antiquated varieties of clothespin-shaped buttons are out there and they're quite unique in their different shapes, colors and sizes. Last year I posted a medium-sized clothespin button in butterscotch Bakelite with a metal shank. These are much larger, red buttons—also Bakelite, but these are the sew-through variety (no shanks). Owing to their long shape, clothespin buttons are generally considered to be a type of toggle. This set goes back to the 1940's.
-Sherbert McGee
This large coat button from the 1930's tested positive for Bakelite. What's more, the button's been treated to an assortment of lovely carvings that remind me of a Japanese painting. Etched deeply into the dark chocolate Bakelite, one has full view of cascading blossoms and leafy sprigs evocative of the foliage that blooms on stalks of bamboo. Owing to its oriental motif and picturesque flora, I'm calling this button a chocolate haiku.
-Sherbert McGee
The song Raspberry Beret, by Prince, came on the radio this morning and I was still humming the funky tune several hours later while taking pictures of this raspberry button from the 1930's. It's a Bakelite button with carved details that deserve a close inspection. A checkered design goes to the extreme with frilly etchings across every other cut square on this juicy maroon masterpiece. Brightly sunlit here in the noonday heat, this seductive button is about as captivating as the lady in Prince's provocative pop jam...
She wore a
Raspberry beret,
The kind you find in a secondhand store.
Raspberry beret
And if it was warm she wouldn't wear much more.
Raspberry beret,
I think I love her.
-Sherbert McGee
Earlier this year, I saw this button on my friend Doreen's website of buttons for sale and decided to snap up this unusual greenie. The button is Bakelite with perforated holes forming a flower design. The Bakelite is just beginning to darken to a brownish orange at the outer ends and I like how the hexagon shape at the center broadens into the unusual petals. So much to love in this button!
Visit Doreen's online store:
BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
This has been a good year (in my personal collecting) for finding Bakelite buttons in this brightly golden shade of yellow. A true custard, it's a step darker than creamed corn, but not dark enough to be butterscotch. I've gone entire years without finding a single button in this sunny tone, but lately I'm in luck. Here's a luscious square with a stepped design carved into finely combed Bakelite.
Visit Doreen's online store:
BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Recently, I asked a fellow button collector which color of Bakelite is her favorite and she said, "Well, that's easy. The black ones." Good answer! Black Bakelite is often referred to as "licorice" Bakelite owing to its deliciously saturated depth and glistening visual flavor. This button serves as a perfect example with its carved design, including an art deco leaf and dark waves tossed back as slickly as a dapper Dan's pompadour. With its distinguished markings, this button may go back to the 1930's or possibly as far back as the 1920's. Topped off in a fine patina, this chic antique gives off an exotic vibe as well as a spunky shine. So here's to black Bakelite!
-Sherbert McGee
