DUPRS_0012 Misc. Button Collection

DUPRS_0012 Misc. Button Collection

Miscellaneous Button Colleciton

This collection of different button types found in various states of tarnish is made up of:
-2 complete small mother of pearl buttons with 4 holes
-1 medium-size possibly ceramic or celluloid white button with 4 holes
-1 large and a half a large possibly ceramic or celluloid buttons with 4 holes
-1 small brown either ceramic, celluloid, or modern plastic button with 4 holes
-1 petal “pie crust button” with 2 holes
-2 and a half-metal “inkwell” buttons with 4 holes
-1 metal rounded top button with incised design
-14 white porcelain buttons
-1 white porcelain, round convex button (no holes)
-1 metal button with a spiral pattern on the outer rim, holes on the inside
-1 metal convex, round button with a small border outlining the roundest part
-2 plain metal buttons
-1 ornate, metal button with geometrical shapes, 8 circular bumps on the outer rim, 16 small circles around the center

The creators of the buttons are unknown.

Selective Surface collection, west Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)

Drew University, Department of Anthropology

late 19th- early 20th Century

Amy Zavecz

Metal & Ceramic

Cultural and Historical Significance:

Overall this button collection looks like it comes from the 19th century, based on the materials used, the various states of tarnish, and the mark of quality in manufacturing. Through research, it seems that the small buttons with only two holes were used in undergarments and were probably handmade based on the need of the owner/wearer. The larger buttons made from either ceramic or celluloid material (celluloid is a material only found in buttons made at the turn of the century or later) and were most likely used on everyday clothing, especially due to the simple ornate patterns. The rounded metal button was most likely fastened on the front of a coat jacket since they were used for a sturdier fasten and were not as susceptible to tear. The buckle button with writing is the hardest button to place out of the grouping. Though the writing is not completely legible, the style of font seems to indicate that this button was probably made by a button manufacturing company and displays the name of the company. Factory manufactured buttons found in more rural areas seem to indicate that their use was more for purposeful functions, rather than for fashion or status purposes and was probably seen on outerwear during the middle 19th century.

These buttons offer a very interesting look into the personal interactions of the people who lived on this site probably in the middle to late 19th century. The materials used help to define social status as well as material availability as well as the type of clothing these people would have worn on a daily basis. Often the fabrics used to make clothing don’t survive so buttons allow for better interpretation as to what types of material culture was important to this specific society. The buckle button provides evidence that this community had access to trade or commerce which allowed for manufactured goods to be purchased and used for personal use.