Deco Porcelain
BUTTON BUTTON, WHOSE GOT THE BUTTON
We've all seen those lists ranking antiques and collectibles. People collect this, or people collect that, each list offering its own slant on the most popular collectibles. I remember when I was an antiques dealer, for me, the most popular collectible was the last thing I sold. I always wished I had 10 more of those.
As I was exploring idea's of what antiques to feature in this issue, I encountered one of those "most popular" lists, and I have to admit to being slightly stunned. The list topper (Dolls) didn't surprise me much; I've seen those ravenous collectors at the local doll shows. It was number two that caught my eye. Buttons. Buttons? Who'd a thunk it. And they're not even talking about political or pin back buttons. They actually mean those little things that keep our shirts and dresses closed. Boy have I been out of the loop.
I've long been aware, that there were people out there collecting buttons, however, I had always assumed they were collected primarily as a minor sub segment of sewing collectibles. It turns out to be quite the contrary, with hordes of button collectors, scouring antiques shops, flea markets, thrift shores and estate sales, seeking out buttons, independent of other sewing items. There are button clubs, button conventions and button fairs, not to mention the youthful pastime button button, whose got the button.
Why collect buttons? Buttons are fun. They're small, readily available and easily stored or displayed in a small space. They can also be quite beautiful, and come in a variety of materials. Name the substance, and someone made a button from it. From 18th century paintings on ivory, to colorful enamels and fine porcelains, to whimsical Bakelite and art deco designs, there's an antique button for every taste and pocket book. In fact, the savvy collector can build a collection that is significant from artistic, historic and monetary perspectives.
If you're a history buff, you'll find that old buttons often incorporate historical events or mirror major style movements such as art nouveau or art deco. A collection may contain examples from throughout the 300 year history of buttons, or may be limited to the collectors interest in a design movement such as art deco, or be built around a material like ivory, porcelain or Bakelite. Every collection will be different.
It's easy to start a button collection. Most homes have some sort of button repository. Often a drawer, tin box or bag, filled with buttons clipped from old coats, shirts, dresses and other discarded clothing items. When you find it, you have the beginnings of a button collection. Better yet, make a trip to grandma's house, and search for vintage buttons there. Look through what you find, and see what interests you. Gather a few books on the subject, do some reading and research (a good place to start is the National Button Society (www.nationalbuttonsociety.org/Home), and bingo, you're ready to begin the hunt.
And, for you guy's who think buttons are a "chick" thing, take a look to the left, at the Civil War Mississippi Infantry button. You'd better hope you find it with a metal detector, this button retails for over a thousand bucks.
Happy hunting, see you out there……..
About the Author
Dennis Barker is publisher of the New Century Collector, a monthly Utah based collectors newspaper, which features collecting news, along with antiques advertising and articles related to the field. Distributed thoughout Utah and parts of Idaho, the publication can be picked up free from most antiques shops withing their distibution area. The current issue, along with past issues can be read at our website www.newcenturycollector.com.
Antique Pair of Oriental Chinese Art Deco porcelain lamps
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 PIN LADY HEAD FACE PORCELAIN RESIN LOOK BLACK LACE DECO HANDPAINTED EYELASHES $14.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Antique German KATZHUTTE ART DECO BUTTERFLY DANCER FLAPPER Porcelain Figurine $157.50 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 31m |
 Antique Art Deco German Porcelain Half Doll Lady w Fan Legs Figurine $83.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 21h 2m |
 PIN LADY HEAD FACE PORCELAIN RESIN LOOK DECO GOLD BLACK HANDPAINTED EYELASHES $14.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 35m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Antique German DRESDEN ART DECO LADY CLOWN PIERRETTE Porcelain Figurine Figure $11.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 17h 57m |
 SMALL VINTAGE ART DECO PORCELAIN BATHING BEAUTY WITH DARK HAIR $39.52 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $39.52 Buy It Now |
 Antique porcelain Art Deco belly dancer figurine figure $180.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 15h 37m |
 Spectacular HEREND 1930s Art Deco NUDE Porcelain Statuette by Elek Lux Mint $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 33m |
 VINTAGE ART DECO PORCELAIN DANCING LADY FIGURE $39.52 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $39.52 Buy It Now |
 Pair Goldscheider Art Deco Porcelain Chinese Figures $9.95 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 42m |
 SMALL VINTAGE ART DECO PORCELAIN DANCING LADY FIGURE $39.52 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $39.52 Buy It Now |
 OLD HALF DOLL WOMAN W ROSE ART DECO TEEPUPPE DEMI FIGURINE GERMAN PORCELAIN $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 15h 50m |
 Lladro Polar Bears Resting Porcelain Figurine 01007026 Retired Mint nr 9 S Deco $150.00 Time Remaining: 46m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now |
 BLACK ROSE LADY HEAD FACE PIN BISQUE PORCELAIN OOAK DECO BROOCH HANDCRAFTED $14.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 48m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Art Deco Porcelain Gazelle Twin Sculpture Figurine $11.01 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 19h 42m |
 Three Frogs Sitting on a Leaf Deco Porcelain Origin Unknown No Markings $25.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 12m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 Buy It Now |
 art deco porcelain pen stand in the shape of a clown $49.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 Buy It Now |
 LADY HEAD Woman FACE Porcelain Look Resin Brooch Pin Petite Flapper DECO Collage $9.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 Buy It Now |
 BIG SALE ART DECO CERAMIC PORCELAIN FIGURINES LEFTON SALE VINTAGE $29.99 Time Remaining: 19h 47m |
 NORITAKE Nippon Porcelain Basket w Art Deco Lady Decoration Japan Morimura $31.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 20h 28m |
 1950s art deco porcelain Chinese lamp with original metal Pagoda shade $75.00 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 51m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now |
 NORITAKE Nippon Porcelain Creamer w Art Deco Lady Decoration Japan Morimura $51.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 20h 26m |
 JEFFREY COURT 1 X 6 ROPE MOLDING TRIM DECO TILE $1.00 Time Remaining: 26d 14h 47m Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now |
 NORITAKE Nippon Porcelain Plate w Art Deco Lady Decoration Japan Morimura $31.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 20h 22m |
 Armani figurine Golden Nectar Porcelain Art Deco Signed Limited Edition $1,890.00 Time Remaining: 14h 42m |
 VINTAGE ART DECO PORCELAIN LADY COOK FIGURE WITH EGG TIMER $39.52 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $39.52 Buy It Now |
 ART DECO 50S GOEBEL CERAMIC PORCELAIN HAND PAINTED BELL HOP GERMANY $12.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 12h 21m |
 Antique White Porcelain Wall Light Fixtures Art Deco $35.00 Time Remaining: 25d 11h 41m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 Buy It Now |
 MULLER GERMAN PORCELAIN FIGURINE SEMI NUDE ART DECO $65.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6d 15h 15m |
 HALF DOLL ART DECO GERMAN 6826 PIERROT CLOWN LADY VINTAGE PORCELAIN $9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 2m |
 VINTAGE ART DECO PORCELAIN PINK ASHTRAY $10.00 Time Remaining: 26d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 VINTAGE FRENCH ART DECO PORCELAIN CHROME SINGLE TOGGLE LIGHT SWITCH $7.89 Time Remaining: 15h 51m |
 10 3 4 X 8 COBALT BLUE ACCENT ROPE DECO TILE $15.29 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $15.29 Buy It Now |
 4 Antique Porcelain Pull Switch Electric Wall Sconce Light Fixture Plug Art Deco $74.99 Time Remaining: 13h 13m |
 ART Deco Porcelain Shoe Piggy Bank Labeled Shoe Money Goods Gallery Inc $29.00 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 50m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 Buy It Now |
 2 ARTS CRAFT MISSION DECO VICTORIAN PORCELAIN BATHROOM 1 LIGHT WALL SCONCES $49.95 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 54m |
 2 1 2 Art Deco Marble Handmade Unglazed Polish Porcelain c1920 $34.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 17m |
 LADY HEAD FACE PIN PORCELAIN LOOK DECO RESIN WOMAN OOAK CURLY MINK HANDCRAFTED $14.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Vintage French Porcelain Brass Single Toggle Light Switch Art Deco E $10.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9h 46m |
 LIMOGES France Porcelain TEAPOT CREAMER SUGAR Silver Overlay Art Deco Mod Retro $62.00 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 52m Buy It Now for only: $62.00 Buy It Now |
 Art Deco Silver Brass Case Porcelain Dial 8 Days Antique Pocket Watch $15.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 11m |
 VINTAGE PIRKENHAMMER BOHEMIA PORCELAIN ART DECO NUDE FIGURINE VERY GOOD $16.03 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 21h 38m |
 VTG WHITE PORCELAIN CERAMIC WALL MOUNT TOOTHBRUSH TUMBLER HOLDER ART DECO $9.99 Time Remaining: 27d 20h 5m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 splendid art deco porcelain figurine of a sitting young girl in yellow dress $95.00 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 21m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now |
 6X6 MONTAGNA BELLUNO DECO ACCENTS INSERTS BY MARAZZI $7.95 Time Remaining: 17d 21h 33m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 Buy It Now |
 CARLTON WARE CERAMIC PERFUME BOTTLE AND ATOMISER IN THE DECO STYLE $28.45 Time Remaining: 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $41.10 Buy It Now |
 Vintage German Schaubach Kunst Porcelain Woman Deer Nude Art Deco $129.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 45m |
 Antique Art Nouveau Nude Porcelain Woman Figurine Statue 1930s Germany Deco 27L $99.00 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 19m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 Buy It Now |
 FINE SHELLEY ART DECO PORCELAIN CRINOLINE LADY CUP SAUCER NR $49.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 16h 42m |
 PIN LADY HEAD FACE PORCELAIN RESIN LOOK GOLD GREEN DECO HANDPAINTED EYELASHES $14.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 HOLLOHAZA ART DECO PORCELAIN YOUNG LADY FIGURINE FROM HUNGARY $39.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 43m |
 Uchida 200-6A 6-Piece Decocolor Fine Point Paint Marker Set List Price: Sale Price: $17.26 You save: $3.78 (18%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIt's oil based formula allows for a gloss finish to any project. Lightfast, weatherproof, lead free and acid free. Covers most surfaces such as glass, metal, stone, wood, paper, mirrors, porcelain and clay.  |
 The Finest PORCELAIN CERAMIC & OIL RUBBED BRONZE Replacement Passage Knobs to upgrade Antique Knobs or Other Replicas. Guaranteed the Finest Quality at any price List Price: Sale Price: $39.95 You save: $39.05 (49%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionYour purchase is for each pair of Top-of-the-Line CERAMIC KNOBS with Premium Spindle and Industrial Allen Set Screws with Wrench (STYLE 01PB). Guaranteed to be the finest Porcelain Ceramic Knobs available at any price... |
 Deco Decor: Porcelain, Glass, & Metal Accessories for the Home List Price: Sale Price: $50.98 You save: $19.01 (27%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product |
 4'W x 3'H Deco Aurora Aluminum Frame Porcelain Whiteboard with Hunter Green Trim Insert See Reviews For This Product DescriptionDecoAurora from Ghent is offered in an array of twelve inserts for you to choose whichever best suits your taste (9 vibrant colors and 3 wood grain choices, shown on image). The four multi-faceted corner connectors, aluminum framing, and color insert strips gracefully come together for a highly complementary look... |
 Magnetic Porcelain Markerboard with Inserts 96" x 48" Aluminum Frame/Burgundy Insert List Price: Sale Price: $484.99 You save: $233.01 (32%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionGhent Deco Aurora series 96W''x48''H markerboard is made with a porcelain marker surface and satin aluminum frame with vinyl insert strip that adds a splash of color.Markerboard features a porcelain on steel marker surface that accepts magnets and will not ghost or stain... |
 How To Buy & Sell Antiques And Collectibles List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWell I'm here to tell you that these people were not born with any special intrinsically knowledge of the antique and collectible trade. It's learned behaviour as they say.Go ask any person in the antique and collectible business if they have ever been burned buying a reproduction (repro) and the first thing you'll notice is a sheepish little grin start to emerge... |
 MICHELE Deco Ceramic White Diamond List Price: Sale Price: $1,396.50 You save: $598.50 (30%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAs another timeless interpretation of the Deco collection, the Deco Ceramic timepiece is effortlessly chic. The sparkling diamonds, white mother-of-pearl dial, and Swiss chronograph movement make this timepiece distinctively Michele... |
 Lladro Baby Jesus Re-Deco, 2.25x3.5" See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIssue Year: 2007, 2008Sculptor: Juan HuertaThe Lladro Nativity Re-Deco Scene is the classic Lladro nativity figurines redecorated with the Christmas season in mind. Each piece is made of white porcelain and framed in both glazed and matte gold luster applied on the edges of cloaks and dresses... |
 Lladro Christmas Ornament, 2010 Re-Deco Christmas Bell none Sale Price: $58.90 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionJingle all the way. Featuring sculpted white porcelain tied up in a pretty gold bow, this Lladro bell ornament makes your Christmas tree sing year after year. |
 Art Deco Chessmen List Price: Sale Price: $66.99 You save: $58.00 (46%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionUnique Art-Deco styled chessmen made from plastic resin but resembles porcelain. Painted in red and black with white accents and faux pearl inlay. (Chess board not included; available separately) |
