Vintage

Did you know that there is an almost never-ending variety of vintage buttons to choose from? If you're interested in collecting antiques, here is a guide to the various niches of vintage buttons that are popularly collected.

Civil War Buttons 

Probably one of the most popular niche of vintage buttons are those that originate from the period of the American Civil War. People seem to be enormously eager to feel in touch with the soldiers and civilians who were affected by the war, whether from the South or the North. Because Civil War vintage buttons are so commonly collected, there is a great deal of guides and references out there to turn to. As an amateur collector, the Civil War might be a good place to start!  

Furthermore, there are also military vintage buttons that encompass different wars, and these are of course incredibly popular among collectors.  

Chinese Boxwood Buttons 

Of all the vintage buttons out there, the Chinese Boxwoods are probably some of the most beautiful and treasured. Why? Even though there are plenty of antique boxwoods, they are still hand carved to this day because of how lovely and sought after they are. In addition to a Boxwood's rustic charm and personal handmade touch, it's also easy to polish, making it a smart addition to any collection.  

Other vintage buttons are classified by how they are made, for example Champleve and Brass buttons. Some require more cleaning and restoration, while others are easier to maintain. Some have more monetary value, while others are simply pretty to look at. There are lots of different ways to categorize a button. For example, a vintage button collector may only be intrigued by buttons crafted during the early 1800's, while others only buy buttons that come from Asia, while others don't care about the time and place a button was made, but what it was made of! Still, others purchase buttons that are merely aesthetically pleasing and might be easily made into jewelry.  

Regardless, what's always interesting is a button's history, and that is the most unique part of it – as it varies from button to button.  

As you become more enamored with the world of vintage buttons, you will become more and more knowledgeable about all the different niches and come to appreciate buttons as a tiny, stylish, and integral part of mankind's history. Sometimes it's the smallest items that have the richest histories!