History of the Livery Button

  

 A Short History of Livery Buttons and Preserving Them in Recycled Sterling Jewelry

 

Happy Bunny on Labradorite Chain - 1850's  Your Daily Jewels

Invicta -" Undefeatable" - estim. 1790.

Sometime in the 13^th century the idea of a buttonhole and button was conceived.

In the 18^th century, buttons were truly tiny works of art. Button making became a profitable sideline for many of the starving artists of the day. Typically, the most exquisite of these buttons was about the size of a 50- cent piece. 

A “livery” is an insignia, symbol, or uniform button worn by one who provided service to a noble or aristocrat to represent their relationship to their employer.

My passion, my quest, my contribution to history:

As a card-carrying member of the National Button Society, one of my favorite pastimes is scouring the earth for 18th and 19^th Century relics in order to preserve them. I cast from them, in order to create beautiful modern heirlooms for you, to be worn and passed on for centuries more.

Initial Pendants are Made from Wax Seal Stamps and Livery Buttons at Your Daily Jewels

The word itself comes from the French “livrée”, meaning delivered. Most often it would indicate that the wearer of the livery was a servant, depend-ent, follower, or friend of the owner of the “livery.” Like heraldic Crests, a livery button was a fast way to identify friend or foe in a time of war.

Notre Dame - Early 1800's - Made to Order at Your Daily Jewels

The fashion for livery buttons started among the upper classes in the mid-eighteenth century, and lasted as an accepted practice into the Edwardian era of the early twentieth century. 

After the first World War, new income tax and changing social and economic conditions quietly put an end to the era of the livered servant among the wealthy upper class. 

Scottish Livery, "I Ready Myself with Arms"

Beyond the prevalent use of Latin, there is a whole cryptic language  and symbolism to livery buttons, heraldry, and crests & shields. I am having fun learning the meaning behind many of them. 

For fascinating history you can read The Big Book of Buttons by Hughs & Lester, http://www.ukdfd.co.uk, and Fairbairns Book of Crests, London : T. C. & E. C. Jack.  I will be more sharing as I learn.

Scottish, Cuff button

Thank you for reading,

Norah

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Spero Melior - Hope for Better Things - 1832

 

Recycled Silver Monogram Initial Pendant Necklaces

 

Finally! After many requests, Your Daily Jewels is creating personalized monogram pendant necklaces from 100% recycled fine silver. Hot off the press, and not even listed yet. Please contact me at my Etsy shop if you are interested.

Did you know Humans,prior to written language, as early as 350 BC were using monograms as a means of identification. In ancient times, monograms were used to sign art works or coins. In the middle ages their use spread widely as a signature. It's imporant to remember that most kings and emperors were not able to write or even to sign their own name!

Monograms were used by the Greeks and Romans who marked their coins with the initials of the ruler of the region and then later added to mark valuable items of the royalty to show their place in high society.

Today the traditional monogram is three initials, the first name initial , followed by the last name initial (centered and larger) and finally, the middle initial. The earliest monograms were just a two intitials.

Just a little tidbit on a Sunday afternoon

Thanks so much for reading!
Norah