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Button Button - Red and Black
$21.99
Early in the nineteenth century buttons were being mechanized and mass-produced in many countries including England and the United States. Buttons became much smaller, about half the size of just one-century prior. New button materials included glass, vulcanized rubber, cloth-covered and plastic substitutes for natural materials. New styles such as four-hole as an alternative to shank also appeared. Ironically, while buttons used on the fashions of the Victorian era became less decorative, a new fad began which required unusual buttons, the charm bracelet.
By the 1860’s until around 1900 young ladies collected buttons and stitched them onto wide, black elastic bands called “charm strings.” To start, one would first tie a string to a larger button called the “touch” button. It was customary for young ladies to exchange buttons from their garments with loved-ones and sew the souvenir onto the band. The more unusual the button, the more powerful the token. An extravagant “friendship bracelet” indicated a well-loved lady.
For single ladies, these bracelets took on another function. Legend was that there had to be a thousand buttons on their charm string before Prince Charming would come and claim his lady love. There were very few completed strings (and maybe even fewer Prince Charmings).
This reproduction button bracelet keeps the Victorian era charm of vintage shank buttons; however, the elastic charm string is replaced with more modern metal links.
By the 1860’s until around 1900 young ladies collected buttons and stitched them onto wide, black elastic bands called “charm strings.” To start, one would first tie a string to a larger button called the “touch” button. It was customary for young ladies to exchange buttons from their garments with loved-ones and sew the souvenir onto the band. The more unusual the button, the more powerful the token. An extravagant “friendship bracelet” indicated a well-loved lady.
For single ladies, these bracelets took on another function. Legend was that there had to be a thousand buttons on their charm string before Prince Charming would come and claim his lady love. There were very few completed strings (and maybe even fewer Prince Charmings).
This reproduction button bracelet keeps the Victorian era charm of vintage shank buttons; however, the elastic charm string is replaced with more modern metal links.
Tags: black, bracelet, button, charm, gift, gold, gold tone, goldtone, jewelry, metal, red, reproduction, retro, shank, Victorian, vintage
