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Buttons!

fuellingdesigns
Mar 23
2 min read

The oldest known buttons were found in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley, used primarily as ornaments rather than fasteners. Ancient Romans and Chinese also used them.

Medieval transformation in the 13^th - 14^th Century came about with the invention of the buttonhole in Europe allowing buttons to close tighter-fitting garments, moving buttons from purely decorative to functional. Eary buttons were made of shell, horn, bone, ivory, and stone.

Buttons during the Renaissance and beyond, 16^th - 18^th Century, became status symbols, extravagant, with royalty like Louis XIV wearing diamond-studded sets. Common materials were metal, gold, silver, glass and steel.

The Industrial Revolution, particularly in the 1800’s brought mass-produced buttons made from metal, glass, and eventually, early plastics.

In the Modern Era, 20^th century - Present, plastic replaced natural materials, allowing for affordable, colorful and diverse designs. Button collecting also became a popular hobby in the 1930’s. Today buttons are made of many materials. Natural materials as in ancient time, sustainable materials like wood and bamboo to a wide range of man-made materials.

History aside, buttons are just fun! Buttons can be subtle and simple, used strictly as a closure or on the other side of the pendulum, ornate and gaudy to make a statement whether functional or ornamental.

I have memories of sorting my mother’s buttons. They gave me endless hours of entertainment. Matching buttons into sets and stringing them together. Adding them to my dolls cloths or just keeping them with me in my pocket because I liked them.

Today I still play with buttons. Perhaps a bit more sophisticated in my sorting and display but still the same joy from sorting, matching, touching, using, and just keeping them.

I sort my buttons by color. Then by type- shank or flat. Next by sub-categories such as shell, carved, wood, metal, vintage, antique, theme and so much more.

Sorting is like going on a treasure hunt. If there are two or more that match, they are a set and put together. Safety pins, thread, bags, and small tins work well for sorting.

Enjoy a view of my button stash...