Fantastic antique / vintage rare button stretch bracelet:
~ Loaded with old highly collectible and rare buttons of several varieties
~ I have counted 47 buttons - all round in shape and individual works of art in their own way
*7 total Highly iridescent gray abalone shell plainer buttons in three different sizes
*2 brass picture or scenic type - one floral and one with a bird in flight and a tree - 1/2" and 5/8" diameter
*16 medium sized with off white back ground and brass concentric circle overlay - 1/2" diam.
*10 two toned dot in dot - thin white pearl or clam shell bases layered with gray abalone shell center - 3/4" diameter
*10 Snow flake carved abalone shell buttons with individually riveted cut steel centers. With 10 x magnification - I could spot a tiny brass back plate under the steels that each "jewel" is attached to - 5/8" diameter
*2 French enameled buttons with thin transparent red metallic enamel and hand etched accents. Studded with fancy cut steel adornments - the centerpieces being star shaped. Similar construction as the others - I could see a tiny brass back plate and each tiny faceted piece is individually rivet set. Cut steels of the oldest and rarest variety. 1/2" diameter
~ Perfect winter time or Christmas holiday piece with the star and snowflake motifs
~ These are all woven into the crocheting of this matching gold toned elastic stretch band - completely wearable as is - or harvest the buttons for your own creations or collections
ESTIMATED AGE OR ERA = These are very old buttons - my best guess for the buttons would be 1700's for the cut steel numbers to 1800's for some of the others - Georgian to Victorian in era. Incorporating these into this bracelet is most likely a more modern creation and could date from anywhere in the 20th century really.
METAL AND/OR MATERIAL = Gold crocheted elastic band and buttons of varying materials as pictured and described above
CLOSURE/CLASP = None- stretch and slide on to fit. Forgiving elastic should fit just about anyone
MARKS = None that I could find
MEASUREMENTS = Elastic band is 7/8" wide on the inside - with buttons in place, measured from the outside - it measures up to 1 1/2 - 1 3/4" wide in areas. The buttons measure from the smallest at around 1/2" diameter to the larger being about 3/4" in diameter
US RING SIZE = x
WEIGHT = 72.1 grams on my scale
CONDITION = Good to great antique / vintage condition considering the substantial age of the buttons. There may or may not be a few bare spots - this bracelet is so loaded up with buttons that I can't even say for certain. If there are voids - I am not sure if it signifies a missing button here or there or if it is original to the piece. Some buttons are more tightly attached than others - one or two look to be holding on by the thinnest thread. There is a hole or small area of unraveling of the stitching that can be seen from the inside of the bracelet band - and close to that a button that has been stitched on to the band with ivory colored thread. Most all of the buttons are in stellar shape - with the exception of the double layer dot on dot two toned shell buttons that seem be prone to edge chipping on the bottom white layer due to the thinness and brittle nature of the material. See last pics. This all warrants a very good once over if you do intend to wear this gorgeous old piece - all easy fixes and / or chances to customize should you feel the need. If you plan to harvest or repurpose - you will be very pleased with the array and quality of these buttons
Please view & enlarge all photographs to closely inspect fine details and to determine the amount of patina, and/or wear. Most older pieces by nature normally have some degree of both and, unless severe, aren't considered damaged. I will do my best to note anything glaring or distracting. Utilize the scroll arrows beside the photos to allow yourself the opportunity to view them all. Pictures normally speak louder than words and individuals also interpret characteristics differently.