Here's an information page covering an antique type of clothing button that often gets overlooked by those who tend to like only "pretty buttons". These are c. early-to-mid 1900's "overall work clothing buttons", collectors call them by both names. These are utilitarian but charming buttons available in a wide range of subjects and designs. They are all constructed about the same with a low convex face of stamped brass mounted over a japanned steel back with a "wobble" (wire) shank or a "riveted" (stud like) back. The stud back type backs were permanently affixed to clothing. Some collectors feel the riveted backs present the most interesting designs but I've found the same designs in both wobble and riveted. Below is shown images from a tray of these buttons I've collected and some close-ups of the various subject matter you can find these buttons in, there are hundreds of other designs out there to find. I neglected to show a plant life button, I know of a few, one that comes to mind is the OshKosh 4-leaf clover. The NBS classes these as "usage" buttons. Comments or questions? Click here to e-mail me: carolc@vintagebuttons.net