Mother of Pearl Buttons:
The need to fasten is almost as old as clothing. Of course, this is mostly done with knots, pins, hooks, loops, and anything else that can hold two layers of fabric or leather together. The first buttons appeared in the Bronze Age. The oldest were found in the Indus Valley, in what is now India. They are made of any kind of material that is easy to work with.
Today, various shell buttons reflect the steady use of natural materials in recent decades. Shells are the raw material from which they are made, and their composition is very close to that of real pearls. It is secreted by molluscs to make the shell perfectly smooth and to protect itself from the irritating effects of foreign bodies and parasites that enter the shell. Actually it represents calcium carbonate flakes arranged parallel to the surface. The layers are separated by sheets of elastic biopolymer that contribute to the strength of the shell. When you choose shell buttons, keep in mind that there is very little difference between them and real pearls. In pearls, the lamellae of calcium carbonate are aligned perpendicular to the surface and radially with the stimuli that later transform into pearl nuclei. The shell color may vary from dark to white, depending on the type of mollusk that produced it. It is characterized by changes in brightness and color as the viewing angle changes. Seashells have been used for thousands of years for different purposes, from mediums of exchange to impressive materials for jewelry, cameos and art objects, and of course, exquisite shell buttons.
What makes these buttons so iconic is their unrivaled pearl luster.
Mother-of-pearl buttons are darker than plastic buttons. Due to their noble creamy sheen, it takes one look to distinguish them from any other buttons.
So you think you know all about them? Here are 5 facts that will make you look at good old mother of pearl buttons in a whole different light:
In the early 20th century, 37 percent of buttons were made from the shells of freshwater molluscs found in the Mississippi River.
The business was started in the United States by German button maker John Frederick Boepple.
Production peaked in 1905 at approximately 1.5 billion buttons!
Leftover shells are used to pave the streets of Muscatine, Iowa.
Ease of production, shell buttons have been used throughout pre-industrial cultures and Victorian times.
History of the brilliant Pearl buttons:
The shiny appearance of the pearl attracted the attention of the ancient people since the dawn of civilization. It shined in various colours at the sunlight with sheer significance and beauty. That is why pearl quickly found their place as decoration on the garments. There was only one step further from their decorative value to their fastening function, and this step was made in a short time. Another important factor for the appearance of the beautiful pearl buttons was that pearls are processed easily and could be found in abundant quantities.
Many centuries have passed, during which time they were forgotten at times, and at times again become fashionable. Since the middle ages they have taken permanent place on our clothes. There have been periods when dozens and hundreds of them were used. There is a well-known royal garment of Francis I, which was trimmed with more than 13,000 buttons. They were regarded as a sign for social and wealth status and were available only to certain circles of society.
In recent times the small pearl buttons become a scene for the mastery of artists, engravers and jewellers. Often they were transformed into works of art for which collectors were reluctant pay substantial amounts.
