Victorian Buttonhook with Decorated Sterling Silver Handle

Here we have a beautiful Buttonhook from the Victorian period.  This Antique button hook has a round ended silver handle which tapers to meet the steel hook end.  The Silver handle has a hand-finished  repousse decoration.  It has a swirling design of feathery foliage curling around.  This is a large size buttonhook being a total of 7 inches in length from the hook end to the top of the handle.  The steel part ( which is marked with  the word 'steel') measures 4 inches and the silver handle is approximately 3 inches in length with a half inch diameter at the top.  There is the assay mark for Birmingham ( the anchor mark) with the letter 'b' for the year 1876 and the lion passant stamp to show this is English sterling silver.  The lion passant appears again on the collar of the handle where it joins the steel.  This piece is of lovely quality.  The steel has some dark marks on it which would be easily removed with fine steel wool if desired. A useful accessory for bridal gowns or a super addition to a collection of buttonhooks.  This piece is over 130 years old!

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.