About Antiquewear Buttons
Presenting jewelry fashioned today from original and authentic 19th century decorative clothing buttons, so unusual to this present century's experience that they must be seen in order to be believed. These are not reproductions, although the jewelry parts are of contemporary manufacture.
 


Charles Dickens wrote in 1850:

" In these small specimens of art...
 it is as if the designer were busy on a wine cup for a king instead of a button."   

 


These beautifully detailed and expressive buttons reflect artistry rarely surpassed, as the 1800's saw the introduction of the industrial age as it blended with the old world craftsmanship. Buttons of this period demonstrate the richness resulting from the convening of these two worlds. Antiquewear does not alter the surface of the button other than to restore it, as close as possible, to its original condition.
 

THEMES
Themes designed on the buttons include: Stories drawn from poems, history, opera, theater, mythology, religion, fables; birds, floral, buildings, cupids, dragons, animals, Egyptian themes, portraits, an array of creative designs, uniform, and much more.

  
MATERIALS
 Materials of the buttons include: brass, glass, enamels, pewter, wood, mother-of-pearl, mixtures of materials, and more. JEWELRY STYLES designed and applied by Antiquewear are:

LOCKETS, BRACELETS, EARRINGS, KEY RINGS, BOOKMARKS, MONEY CLIPS, STICKPINS,
CUFFLINKS, TIE-PINS, NECKLACES, BROOCHES, LOCKET CUFFLINKS AND MORE. 


LOCKETS are brass with an antique finish and protective coating to resist tarnishing. They may be attached to either a chain or a bow pin.




FOUR COMPARTMENT LOCKET, spring action, in solid brass, antique and coated, with an engraved Victorian design. Frame inserts are removable.




Oval Lockets  (above and left) with 2 picture compartments. Brass, finished in antique and coated , with an engraved Victorian design surrounding the button.. May be attached to either a chain or bow pin.

Small Lockets with 2 picture compartments. In brass, finished in antique and coated, available with either a chain or bow pin.

Bracelets are in engraved and coated brass, with six buttons.


Earrings post, hanging or clip-on.. Choices include a wide variety of floral & design, some mother-of-pearl, some enamels.
 
Large Locket with 2 picture compartments, in brass with an antique finish and coated. Available with either a chain or bow pin. This locket is usually fitted with a large button but it is also very attractive with a small button in the center.
 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S)

My name is Jerry Fine and here are the answers to your most asked questions: 

Q. WHERE DO YOU GET THE BUTTONS?

A. I GET THEM....WHOA! THAT'S A TRADE SECRET THAT I MIGHT REVEAL ONLY TO A FRIEND. SO LET'S START THAT PROCESS; IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHERE I GET THESE UNUSUAL BUTTONS YOU MUST FIRST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: 1. YOU MUST MAKE A PURCHASE. 2. YOU MUST LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY KIDS. 3. YOU MUST TELL ME A GOOD, CLEAN JOKE.

Q. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?

A. SINCE 1982.

Q. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

A. I WAS INTRIGUED BY THE WORKMANSHIP, DETAIL AND INTEGRITY OF THESE EARLY BUTTONS. IT WAS TREMENDOUSLY REFRESHING NOT NEEDING TO KNOW A THING ABOUT THEM OTHER THAN MY OWN INTERPRETATION OF WHAT I SAW. THERE SEEMED NO END TO THE AMOUNT OF CREATIVITY INVESTED IN THESE MINIATURE WORKS OF ART.

Q. WHERE WERE THE BUTTONS MADE?

A. 19TH CENTURY BUTTONS WERE BOTH IMPORTED FROM EUROPE AS WELL AS MADE IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA OF THE UNITED STATES WHEN BOSTON WAS THE FASHION CENTER OF THE COUNTRY. BUTTON PRODUCING WAS A MAJOR INDUSTRY ON BOTH CONTINENTS.

Q. WHAT ARE THE CHAINS MADE OF?

A. 10K GOLD OVER BRASS AND THEN GIVEN AN ANTIQUE FINISH TO BLEND WITH THE ITEM AND THEN LACQUERED AS AN ADDED COAT OF PROTECTION.

Q. WOULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE EARRING WIRES?

A. MOST WIRES ARE SURGICAL STEEL. GOLD FILLED IS AVAILABLE IN SOME STYLES. POSTS ARE MOSTLY GOLD FILLED AND A FEW ARE SURGICAL STEEL. 14K IS AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST.

Q. WHAT MATERIALS WERE USED IN THE BUTTONS?

A. JUST ABOUT EVERY MATERIAL OF WORTH, AND THEN SOME. MOSTLY BRASS, BUT ANY SINGLE BUTTON MAY USE SEVERAL MATERIALS COMBINED IN ONE DESIGN. GLASS WAS FREQUENTLY USED AND PEWTER WAS OFTEN USED TOGETHER WITH BRASS AS ITS SETTING.

Q. WHERE IS THE BATHROOM?

A. WHEN YOU VISIT THE SHOP I WILL SHOW YOU.

 
 


Antiquewear
To order call or e-mail your request (781) 639-0070 - antiquewear@comcast.net
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