Wooden Clothing Buttons.

Wooden Clothing Buttons.

American Artifacts of Personal Adornment, 1680-1820:

https://books.google.com.au/books?id=aWsnAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=18th+century+%22wooden+buttons%22&source=bl&ots=k4FWKTqzGy&sig=ACfU3U2TvitP7naWMCsl97dFV2SKLoYqEw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiN1sW1qqzkAhXBfX0KHbX2CpY4ChDoATAJegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=18th%20century%20%22wooden%20buttons%22&f=false;

Blank/Mold: A “Blank/Mold” is a bone or wood button with either zero holes or one hole. The single hole was a product of manufacturing, when these buttons were cut with a lathe or a carpenter’s brace and bit (Hinks 1988:67). They could be used as the backs to stamped metal buttons, the supporting disc for cloth buttons, or more holes could be drilled in them to make simple, one-piece bone or wooden buttons (ibid).

https://www.daacs.org/wp-content/uploads/buttons.pdf

"Wood buttons were also made in colonial crafts shops and homes. During the 18th century, most wooden buttons were plain and utilitarian. In 1770, Benjamin Randolph advertised his apple, holy, and laurel buttons (Luscomb, ix). Decorated wooden buttons, which were carved, painted, and inlaid, were popular in the 19th century".
https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1042&context=utk_chanhonoproj

Wooden Button Moulds.

Wood backed 

 brass button with catgut shank.

http://ancientpoint.com/imgs/a/i/k/m/z/18th_century_repouss__wood_back_brass_button_with_catgut_shank_3_lgw.jpg;

To date I have not come across any images of original 18th century wooden buttons with more than one hole, other than the sample above which is a wood backing for a brass button.
Keith.

Update On Dorset Buttons.

Dorset Buttons.

Dear Keith

It’s very difficult to date a Dorset Button exactly. All I can say is that there are four different types of Dorset Buttons with many variations within each type.

1. The first buttons were made with sheep’s horn, fabric and thread (High Tops and Dorset Knobs)

2. Some used just fabric and thread (Birdseyes and Mites)

Wire rings were introduced in the 1730s and two further types of buttons were added to the range:

3. Those were made with wire, fabric and thread (Singletons)

4. The Dorset thread button used wire and thread (Dorset Cartwheel and Blandford Crosswheel)

The earliest example of buttons worked on a wire rings that I have seen on an item of clothing is in the collection at the Fashion Museum, Bath. A women’s gown dated 1730-39 which has Dorset Cartwheel buttons worked on wire rings on each sleeve. I have also seen Dorset Knob buttons used as decoration on a child’s dress dated 1861-70 in the collection held at the Museum of London. Dorset Singleton Buttons, also worked on a wire ring, were also used on many items of clothing.

I hope this helps

Best wishes

Anna

01747 829010

www.henrysbuttons.co.uk

Visit the Cygnet Gallery, Shaftesbury, for a selection of gifts and kits featuring Dorset Buttons.
http://henrysbuttons.co.uk/worksheets-and-tutorials.html

Dorset Buttons.

18th century Dorset Button.

http://lacecurator.info/clues-in-the-threads/binche-cuff-with-dorset.html;

http://dorset-ancestors.com/?p=694

https://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/a-history-and-how-to-of-dorset-buttons/

http://www.thedorsetpage.com/history/Button_Making/button_making.htm

http://kraplap.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/buttons-dorset-buttons.html

http://zhozhofabart.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/dorset-buttons.html

Dorset Blandford Cartwheel.

http://www.britishbuttonsociety.org/home-page;

Dorset Crosswheel.

http://www.britishbuttonsociety.org/home-page;

Dorset Knob.

http://www.britishbuttonsociety.org/home-page;

18th century Dorset button.

http://handboundcostumes.co.uk/customer-care/customer-library/glossary-2/glossary/attachment/original-examples-of-18th-c-dorset-buttons/;

PDF on making Dorset Buttons: http://www.crookedtreefarm.com/history/buttons/dorset_buttons.pdf