Today's the last day of spring and I'm posting this enormous flower button as a seasonal send-off. The button is creamed tomato Bakelite, which is not a color I find too often in my Bakelite button hunting. See the cream-tone swirls mixed into the bright red? That's a good thing to find in red Bakelite. What's more, this button's petaled border is cut with countless decorative incisions for an effect that makes this flower dazzle! On the subject of the season, here's a painting by Tamara de Lempicka, titled "Spring" from 1928, which might be close to the year this button was made as well.
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BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Every time I look at these buttons I see a feast for panda bears. The buttons are carved beauties from the 1920's. They're made of creamed corn Bakelite and they're the type of button known as the "double-cut" style since the tops are carved separately from the bottoms in totally different designs that are discernible from the open spaces peeking through the surface. In this case, you can see that the buttons have a spiral shape cut at the bases. Most interestingly, the buttons have additional carvings that remind me of wisps of grass etched along the top—sort of an Asian motif. Combined with the Bakelite's earthy tone (reminiscent of wooden plant stalks), I think of these as my bamboo buttons. Owing to the fact that I've yet to see another pair like them, I believe these are rare finds.
-Sherbert McGee
Fascinating chocolate flower buttons are spotlighted here in bold Bakelite carvings. The pair is a big and smaller size, or a parent and child set of buttons—probably going back to the 1930's. I love the alternating design that goes from smooth lobes or petals to spotty petals, forming a quirky blossom, unlike any button I've ever seen. Nicely polished and extraordinary treasures!
Visit Doreen's online store:
BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Brace yourselves, vintage button fans! Here's one of my all-time favorites. It's a big creamed corn button (Bakelite), carved with what appears to be a palm frond bowed decoratively inside the arch of the button. To literally top it off, an accent piece in extra bright orange (Bakelite again) is riding this tropical knockout and hence turning the whole production into a fancy art deco smash—replete with Caribbean flair. Spanish and exotic, this button takes me to a Cuban nightspot, or more specifically, a seaside cabaret in Havana at the height of the Roaring Twenties. Ay, caramba! I'm going to go put this button on a pedestal.
Visit Doreen's online store:
BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
