A beautiful iridescent abalone carved shell button. A medium-sized, four-hole sew-through button. Gray/blue/smoky MOP buttons peaked post-WWII when large, iridescent shell buttons were popular for men's suits, blazers, overcoats, and women's tailored garments.
Era: 1940s-1970s
Size: Medium
Quantity: 1
Measurements: 39 lignes, 24.3 mm, 31/32" (close to 1")
Attachment: Four-hole sew-through
Material: Oyster-derived gray-blue examples frequently trace to pearl oyster fisheries in the Pacific.
Color: Gray/blue/smoky
Origin: France. Shell blanks were harvested in the Indo-Pacific and exported to Europe for finishing. exported.
Uses: suited to substantial garments where a refined finish is desired. They work beautifully on men’s suit jackets, blazers, sport coats, or overcoats, whether used on front closures or cuffs, with the smoky gray-blue tone adding a sophisticated, understated elegance. Equally appropriate for women’s tailored coats, dresses, or cardigans, where the soft iridescence lends a luxurious accent. For outerwear or formal wear, the blue-gray hues pair naturally with navy, charcoal, or black fabrics, while the subtle sheen catches the light to add depth without excess shine.
This exemplifies natural beauty in button-making, oyster nacre's blue-gray iridescence evokes ocean depths and luxury fashion history. Perfect for shadow box displays or jewelry upcycling.
