648

THE RAREST BUTTON IN THIS AUCTION

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
THE RAREST BUTTON IN THIS AUCTION
A very RARE large 18th C. detailed HAIR painting example. This button Is one of the rarest 18th century buttons that exists. My grandfather George Ertell who was considered an antique expert worldwide, stated that there were only 2 sets of these RARE hand painting buttons that were ever made. He at one point had both sets. He sold one set of 15 to a Pennsylvania collector which I was able to acquire several years ago. The other set of 12 he sold 6 or 8 of them the Hannah Kohn and those examples are in the Cooper Hewitt museum in New York City. The remainder of that set is where this example has come from. The design of the button, in this case, is of three men on a bridge fishing and in the background an architectural scene. These hair buttons have been hand painted using a single strand of hair to create the design on a Mica background. The hair pieces (many used to create the design) are left in the button in clumps below. The tediousness of doing this must have been incredible and so time consuming. It is no wonder that there were only 2 sets of these hard to find buttons ever made. This is your opportunity and perhaps only opportunity to own one of these very rare buttons.

DimensionsSM=Less than 3/4", Medium=3/4" to 1 1/4". Large=1 1/4" and above, extra large=1 3/4" and above
Date or EraDIVISION 1=PRE 1918 AND DIVISION 3 IS AFTER 1918
ConditionNOTE: These buttons are antiques and may show age-related wear; we describe any significant condition concerns but they are not new. We cannot be responsible for replaced shanks or issues with the backs of buttons on multi-button cards since we do not remove or re‑card them; please contact us for further condition reports on any lot.