Button

Date1780-1800.

Artist/Maker Mrs. William Meredith

OriginEurope

MediumCopper alloy with wriggled engraving.

DimensionsDia: 1 3/8"

Credit LineGift of Mrs. William Meredith.

Object number1971-17

DescriptionSuit button: large, flat one-piece copper alloy; solid center with small wriggle-work bowknot design in center; chased diagonal rim; soldered copper shank.
Label TextMen’s suit coats had numerous buttons, some for fastening the coat closed, but most for decoration. Some coats had as many as thirty buttons down the coat front, on the cuffs, on or beneath the pocket flaps, and on the pleats at the rear of the coat. Suit buttons came in a wide variety of materials and styles to achieve a glittering, rich effect. Women used fewer buttons, except on man-tailored jackets, such as riding habits, because their clothing was usually pinned or laced closed.
ProvenanceDonor is a button collector and member of the Betsy Ross Button Club of Pennsylvania, founded in 1943. See correspondence in object folder.

Exhibition(s)