Marble Sized "Ball" Button?

[Kurios1]

Hey Folks. I have so many recoveries stashed around my home I have never identified. Here's one I am clueless about. It's some type of marble sized "ball" button. Any information as to it's origin and age would be greatly appreciated. Love my knowledgeable friends here on T-net.

 

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[nagant]

Almost looks like a old pet or small livestock bell

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Two-piece ball-buttons are very difficult to accurately time-date, unless there's a datable backmark. They've been manufactured with essentially the exact same form since approximately the 1830s. They are still being made today... see the VMI comment coming up momentarily. When they first appeared, they were used mostly on Civilian clothing, although some did get used on Military uniforms, and especially Military School uniforms. The cadet uniforms at VMI (Virginia Military Institue) still have these large ball-buttons. By the latter 1800s, they'd mostly fallen out of favor, except for schools uniforms, and some women's clothing. So, in view of all those facts, your large ball-button is most likely from the 1830s through 1870s or so.

The photo below shows a Virginia Military Institue cadet in full uniform, in 1910.

 

[Kurios1]

Two-piece ball-buttons are very difficult to accurately time-date, unless there's a datable backmark. They've been manufactured with essentially the exact same form since approximately the 1830s. They are still being made today... see the VMI comment coming up momentarily. When they first appeared, they were used mostly on Civilian clothing, although some did get used on Military uniforms, and especially Military School uniforms. The cadet uniforms at VMI (Virginia Military Institue) still have these large ball-buttons. By the latter 1800s, they'd mostly fallen out of favor, except for schools uniforms, and some women's clothing. So, in view of all those facts, your large ball-button is most likely from the 1830s through 1870s or so.

The photo below shows a Virginia Military Institue cadet in full uniform, in 1910.

Once again you are my hero CBG. It looks like it has the slightest bit of gold gilding left on it. I figured it to be an old relic. Thanks for coming through again my friend.

 

[CRUSADER]

I think the ball button is probably circa 1840, but could be later.