✅ SOLVED Help with Button Age

[JohnDee1]

Hey y’all I found this Button, and I would like any ideas of its age. I know it is a flat button, and the shank is the same material as the rest of the button. There is no markings as far as I can tell. I am excited as this is one of my few buttons. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

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[CoilyGirl]

Can you get some of the crusty off maybe?

 

[JohnDee1]

On what side? I can try to clean the back, but if I go harder on the front I might destabilize the Patina. Red clay really sticks. Thanks for the response!

 

[Dug]

Early to mid 1800s flat button. If it was mine I would soak it in distilled water and then gently rub the face with a Q-tip and wood toothpick to remove the clay. There is always the chance that there may be a design on the button face.

Also removing the clay off the shank (loop) side might reveal a maker's mark to better ID the date.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Great restoration advice and date era from Dug.
In all honesty, removing the crud and some of the verdigris from a button with little historical value will not take anything away from it.

If what you're looking for is a timeline for dating your site, you may have to sacrifice the occasional button in the process.

Dave

 

[JohnDee1]

Thanks for the responses y’all. I might try cleaning it, but I am afraid to damage it. I think the estimations above are probably right, and I can use pottery to date instead. Kind’ve neat to think who might of owned it. Thanks!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Thanks for the responses y’all. I might try cleaning it, but I am afraid to damage it. I think the estimations above are probably right, and I can use pottery to date instead. Kind’ve neat to think who might of owned it. Thanks!

I realized early on that buttons can be worn, reused and worn again for years. Consequently, dating a site by button finds is never going to be an exact science, instead it's more of a broad date range.

Dave