The antique buttons most collectors today find are from that Victorian period, the late nineteenth century. Jet was a popular material from which to make shiny, black, fancy buttons, mostly for mourning dresses. Because jet was fragile and expensive, black glass buttons were made also. Some buttons were decorated with miniature paintings, some were shaped like animals, fruit or flowers, and some actually were made with pressed flowers or tiny insects preserved under miniature glass domes. These latter ones are rare and valuable today. More common and quite colorful are the ones made from celluloid, vegetable ivory, bone, cloth, metal and mother-of-pearl. All are treasures for the button collector and many are represented in this collection.

The display at the Sutliff Museum may be seen on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. when the museum is open to the public. Tours for groups of any size may be scheduled at other times by calling 330-399-8807, ext. 121.

---Sally Thomas, Curator