Róise Bracelet - Celluloid Limited Edition
Regular price $235.00This bracelet represents the end of an era in our studio. Corda Walker, who designed the best of our limited edition button bracelets for almost thirty years, is retiring. The bracelets in this release will be your last chance to own a piece of her magic.
This stunning design contains a beguiling starter collection of antique Victorian-era buttons. You’ll discover four buttons with celluloid backgrounds, a remarkable hand-painted porcelain button, a delicate stamped brass button, and a vintage mint moonstone glass cabochon.
John Wesley Hyatt of New Jersey patented the first semi-synthetic plastic in 1869 while attempting to invent a replacement material for ivory billiard balls. His invention, called celluloid, proved unsuitable for pool tables. However, its innately moldable properties made it a popular choice for other everyday items, including toys, knitting needles, cutlery handles, collar cuffs, jewelry, and buttons.
Read more: Celluloid, When Plastic was Fantastic, Buttonology Blog.
Most Victorian-era porcelain buttons were hand-painted by well-bred women in their parlors. Painting porcelain was a popular domestic art in the late 19th century, similar to needlework or knitting in the 20th century.
In this piece, from the chain end:
- Tiny antique celluloid and brass button, circa 1880-1900
- Victorian-era button with celluloid flower and brass rim, circa 1880-1900
- Victorian-era cuff link with glass cabochon in unusual mint color, circa 1890
- Antique pierced and tinted brass button set onto a dyed abalone button, both circa 1880-1890
- Square antique mother-of-pearl button with gorgeously hand-painted porcelain button, both circa 1890-1920
- Rare small ivoroid celluloid button depicting a cottage, circa 1880-1900
- Vintage Czech mint glass stone, circa 1930s
- Button with incised celluloid background and pierced brass overlay, circa 1880-1900
- Six brass filigree stampings made today in the USA in vintage dies
- Antiqued brass chain
- Length is 6 ½” to 8 ½”
Shop Collection: Limited Edition
