Very old large button

[Kenny4240]

Trying to find some info on a button my buddy found while metal detecting in the woods. It's about the size of a silver dollar with a skull in the center of a sun possibly ? Has anybody seen anything close to this and why such a large button ?

 

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[HutSiteDigger]

Could you possibly post a picture of the back of the button?

 

[Breezie]

Since it is the size of a silver dollar, I don't think it is a button, although stranger things have happened, so we need to see the back.

Actually, at that size, I'm thinking it is a medallion of some type that would have gone on a necklace, earrings, belt, key ring or any piece of jewelry that would have held a medallion.

Interesting find
Breezie

WELCOME to the forum!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Are you able to post a picture of the back? I would like to know what this is, if the button has a "shank" on the back of it.. It could possibly be 18th century.. 18th century large floral flat buttons are common finds around here in Virginia, like the photo below which were some i found in the Northern Neck of Virginia!

 

[Kenny4240]

Yes I talked to my buddy and he's going bring it to me tomorrow so I can take a picture of backside. Thanks for the interest in helping identify it.

 

[relicmeister]

Whatever it is, it is quite an interesting find. I look forwardto a pic of the back as well.

 

[Kenny4240]

Here are some pictures of the back and front. Looks like a sailboat at center bottom and a half moon to the left of boat . Center top looks like a small skull with sun rays shooting out from skull ?

 

[TNGUNS]

Wow...... now that is an odd puppy. Hope to see an ID on this one.

 

[Kenny4240]

Just used a flashlight at an angle to try and show detail better

 

[Breezie]

After seeing a shaft on the back of it, I think HutSiteDigger is correct in saying it is a button. After seeing more pics, I think it could be an antique 'fabric button,' or a 'filigree' button.

Extremely Interesting,
Breezie

 

[Rusted_Iron]

That has some age to it. In the 18th / 19th Century it was not customary to wear something with a decoration like that, except for fraternal organizations, and maybe some military units (maybe.) It looks as if there might be a crescent moon on there also?

You might have something rare there.

 

[curt_in_wmass]

Gotta be a pirate button..lol...sorry..thats all i can come up with.

 

[Rusted_Iron]

Depending on the area, people back then did sometimes wear mourning-type designs on their personal effects.... but something about that star says it's not your ordinary mourning jewelry. It would help to get a better idea of the design underneath it. Could you make a pencil rubbing on paper or something?

 

[Kenny4240]

Thank you everyone for the help. After looking and looking at this, I'm starting to see the big picture . Top center is a sun. Bottom center is a small sail boat with a half moon to the left and about 6 stars . Is boat showing how it navigates ? Some sort of maritime button is what I'm seeing

 

[Breezie]

With the sun, moon, and boat it's beginning to sound Asian and/or the 1920's.


Breezie

 

[HutSiteDigger]

The two photos below are two grave sites in Stafford,Virginia @ Aquia Church, dating to the 18th century. The skulls i think represent a symbol of resurrection on these tombstones. A friend of mine dug a similar button to yours awhile back that i remember that had a skull on the button and a design below the skull and the button dated to about late 18th century. I can't say what your button truly is, not a military button but some sort of civilian type button. I believe from looking at the shank of your button and the construction of the button - that it would date sometime in the 1780s-1820s era.

 

[Rusted_Iron]

Breezie and HSD both make some good points. I was leaning toward 18th/19th also, but I could see how that design could be 1920's.

I know I've seen that star design somewhere before.