Set of three. Circa 1900-1910s. Hand-worked antique shell sew-through, medium buttons with two holes. The beauty of natural, organic curves is still evident on these early shell buttons.
Size: medium
Quantity:3
Measure approximately: 32L, 32 lignes, 20.3mm, or 51/64" (close to 13/16")
Attachment: two-hole
Material: Trochus shell. Genuine mother-of-pearl (MOP). From the a marine top snail Trochus Niloticus from Indo-Pacific waters. Trochus produces a thick, strong, creamy nacre that's used for high-quality carved buttons.
Color: A creamy pale soft white to opalescent glow and subtle iridescence to light pinkish-beige color, subtle iridescence, and a smooth, slightly shiny nacre appearance. Not dyed, all natural.
Origin: Pre-1920, trochus shell buttons were primarily manufactured in Europe, with the raw shells imported from the Indo-Pacific ("South Seas") regions like Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, and other tropical areas.
These buttons were most likely made in Birmingham, England, which was a major hub for pearl button making by the late 19th century, with thousands employed in small workshops and factories cutting/finishing imported shells.
At this large size, unevenly drilled holes, slight asymmetry, and irregular carving strongly suggest earlier manufacture and hand- or semi-hand work rather than late mass-production. Large mother-of-pearl buttons were harder to cut, required thicker shell blanks, and were made in far smaller quantities than tiny shirt buttons.
Uses: Standard for large men's suit/jacket front buttons, blazers, overcoats, or heavy outerwear, button collectors, and historical sewing enthusiasts.
