Identification Help Request

[button_boutique]

Hello. I am in need of assistance in the classification of some very old buttons with what appears to be a cup-shaped black glass base with a beaded thread center. I am trying to liquidate my great aunt's button collection to assist my son with college tuition this fall. Her mother was a seamstress for the Royal family in the 1800s and many of the buttons originated with her. Most of the buttons are on cards with their identification specified on the back, but these were not marked. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I will attempt to use your photo album to upload the picture I intend to use in my eBay store. If it is unclear, please let me know. I hope some has a name for these! Thanks!

[svengali]

Hi, I don't know of any special name for the button you posted in the album, here's a picture of it. The National Button Society would consider this a black glass button with bead embellishment. Buttons like these are hard to find in good condition but they aren't rare. Value is in the $3-$4 range in my experience. Black glass are the most commonly found antique glass buttons of all due to the huge numbers made and worn in the Victorian era. To see the button closer, click on the image or go to the photo album "divas" entry and click on the small image to enlarge it. -Carol C-

[button_boutique]

Thank you so much for your expertise! Upon closer examination (and w/the help of a "button magnet") I have determined the "cups" are acutally painted steel. Do you think I could classify them as a steel cup type?!

[button_boutique]

Well, I still have no idea, so I listed it in auction format under metal buttons with a starting price of $0.99. I think it could be classified as a steel cup, but I am not sure. We'll see what happens.

[svengali]

I think it might qualify as a steel cup. -Carol C-