Mackintosh Rose Silver Handled Buttonhook - Birmingham 1911 - Art Nouveau

This Buttonhook with its Sterling Silver Handle has the stunning design of the famous Mackintosh Rose with leaves and an almost window-like frame to it. There are five open leaves in a stylised design and one Rose on each side. This design encompasses the elements that are much admired in Art Nouveau jewellery and art. The design has been produced using a machine stamp and is the same on each side.  The buttonhook dates from the beginning of the twentieth Century.  It has hallmarks to both sides showing it to be English Sterling Silver assayed in Birmingham with the date letter for the year 1911 .  There is also the word “Steel” on the steel part. This collectable antique measures 8.25 inches in length with the steel being 5 inches long and the silver handle measuring approximately 3.25 inches by 1 inch at the widest part.  It is in reasonably good condition having a slight “ding” dent to one side but is still very good looking and perfectly functional  to use for fastening and unfastening the little buttons on bridal gowns.

A Testimonial from Mrs. Jemma Traynor -

'Thank you for the buttonhook, it was the most useful thing for helping with the small buttons on the back of my silk wedding dress.  My bridesmaid found it so easy to use.  We both think that it saved her manicured nails from any damage too!  I also have a pretty antique as a keepsake and feel sure that it may come in handy again.'

More information for collectors -

There is a strong  interest in buttons and buttonhooks of all kinds not just in the UK but across Continental Europe and the USA too.   A recommended publication is the Shire Book 'Buttonhooks and Shoehorns'  ISBN 0-85263-696-2 which traces the origins of these collectables. With lots of photos, it explains the various types of hook :-glove hooks, boot buttonhooks, combination hooks with a shoehorn etc.,  the many materials used to make them:-real gold and silver, to steels with other handles - mother of pearl, horn, ivory, bone, early plastics, bakelite, celluloid and other metals. There is information about how they were used for early advertising and  the methods of manufacture in the 19th Century and early 20th Century and the reasons why they became popular and, as fashions changed, fell out of favour.