Square Porcelain Buttons Help with ID please

[babja]

Hello, My mother handed me a couple of buttons and told me to sell them (yes told me, didn't ask me)LOL. And being the dutiful daughter I am trying to identify the buttons before I list them. The buttons are 3.5cm x 3.5cm. They have what looks like a bakelite back that has been glued on. They are also marked 26/3 on the back as well. Are these buttons? and what genre, or category would these buttons be listed under?(ex. calico, moonstone, etc.) Thank You for any help. Beth

[svengali]

Hi Beth: Your buttons are molded ceramic with white and black fired on color highlighted with gold luster. If are going to be listing these for U.S. buyers, try to report the size in inches, not many of us know centimeters to make any sense of it, sadly. The applied shanks are probably celluloid rather than bakelite. I would list them like this: "Vintage Gold Lustered Modified Square Ceramic Buttons" They seem to be from the 1940-50's. Appeal of buttons like this to collectors is limited to the modified square shape. If these had a pictorial design (some type of design you can recognize as plant life, animal life, object or people, scenics, etc.), they'd have more appeal. Best of luck with your sales. -Carol C-

[babja]

Carol, Thank You!! I could not decide if they were even buttons. I thought that maybe someone had glued a shank on a small ceramic tile. I appreciate your indepth response. Thank you Beth

[cyndi!]

The image looks like some sort of antelope or greyhound...?

[svengali]

Oh my gosh Cindi you are right. How did I miss seeing an animal on those buttons? Makes these buttons pictorial. I'mleaning toward antelope or deer although I do wonder why the ribs show on the animal, heck it could be a greyhound or whippet too. These suddenly became pretty cool buttons!