Archaeology Online

Plaster fragment from near floor boards.

Plaster | Object #: 1695464

Plaster fragment with lathe marks.

Plaster | Object #: 1695468

Bone fan blade; fan guard.

Bone | Object #: 1695567

Incomplete fan guard consisting of 3 fragments. Carved decoration same as 2517.

Bone fan blade; fan guard.

Bone | Object #: 1695571

Carved decoration same as 2516.

Iron, two-tined table fork.

Iron | Object #: 1695838

Metallic thread.

Textile | Object #: 1707244

Multiple strands. Possibly button-related. Gold gilt thread with silk core; S-twist

Silver-alloy plated copper alloy button face with stamped floral and geometric design.

Copper/Copper Alloy | Object #: 1785147

This is the metal face, or front portion, of a two piece button. In this style of button, a disk of lathed bone with a beveled edge often served as a button back. The face of the button was commonly fashioned from a sheet of thin metal, usually a variety of copper alloy, which would be crimped ...

Amethyst glass sleeve button inlay with molded scalloped clam shell shape.

Glass | Object #: 1785932

This is a decorative glass inset which originally was set into the metal backing of a linked, or sleeve, button. Such insets are referred to as “pastes,” and could be colored, cut, or molded, and would have been set into metal backings. This example is an amethyst colored glass, which has been ...

Colorless leaded faceted glass sleeve button inlay

Glass | Object #: 1786094

This is a decorative glass inset which originally was set into the metal backing of a linked, or sleeve, button. Such insets are referred to as “pastes,” and could be colored, cut, or molded, and would have been set into metal backings. This example is a leaded colorless glass, which has been s...

Colorless lead glass sleeve button inlay with molded coral branch design

Glass | Object #: 1787142

This is a decorative glass inset which originally was set into the metal backing of a linked, or sleeve, button. Such insets are referred to as “pastes,” and could be colored, cut, or molded, and would have been set into metal backings. This example is a molded, colorless, leaded glass. The dec...

Colorless glass sleeve button inlay with molded 8-pointed star design

Glass | Object #: 1787157

This is a decorative glass inset which originally was set into the metal backing of a linked, or sleeve, button. Such insets are referred to as “pastes,” and could be colored, cut, or molded, and would have been set into metal backings. This example is a molded, colorless, leaded glass. The dec...

Colorless glass sleeve button inlay with molded house, 2 trees, fence, and path.

Glass | Object #: 1787164

This is a decorative glass inset which originally was set into the metal backing of a linked, or sleeve, button. Such insets are referred to as “pastes,” and could be colored, cut, or molded, and would have been set into metal backings. This example is a molded, colorless, leaded glass. The dec...

Bone back to waist coat button with wire eye.

Bone | Object #: 1787213

Bone button molds were disks cut from animal bone, often identifiable by the presence of a single central hole created by a cutting tool during production. The bone disk often served as the back of a two part button. In this button form, the face of the button was commonly comprised of a stampe...

Bone back to waist coat button with wire eye.

Bone | Object #: 1787433

Bone button molds were disks cut from animal bone, often identifiable by the presence of a single central hole created by a cutting tool during production. The bone disk often served as the back of a two part button. In this button form, the face of the button was commonly comprised of a stampe...

Bone back to coat button with wire eye.

Bone | Object #: 1787434

Bone button molds were disks cut from animal bone, often identifiable by the presence of a single central hole created by a cutting tool during production. The bone disk often served as the back of a two part button. In this button form, the face of the button was commonly comprised of a stampe...

Bone button back with carved sunburst design

Bone | Object #: 1787606

Bone button molds were disks cut from animal bone, often identifiable by the presence of a single central hole created by a cutting tool during production. The bone disk often served as the back of a two part button. In this button form, the face of the button was commonly comprised of a stampe...

Flat disc tombac waist coat button with iron shank.

Tombac | Object #: 1787900

This is a one piece metal button, which archaeologists often refer to as “flat disc” buttons. One piece buttons were often made of copper alloys. This particular example is cast tombac as denoted by the “grey” coloration seen below the corrosion on the button face. Tombac is an alloy of copper ...

Flat disc waist coat button with iron shank.

Tombac | Object #: 1788229

This is a one piece metal button, which archaeologists often refer to as “flat disc” buttons. One piece buttons were often made of copper alloys. The shank of this button was a length of iron wire which was inserted into the mold as the button was cast. Once solidified, the casting lines and ex...

Unidentifiable copper alloy button

Copper/Copper Alloy | Object #: 1788231

This is the metal back of a two piece button. In this style of button, the face, or cover, of the button was commonly fashioned from a sheet of thin metal, usually a variety of copper alloy. Backings for these buttons provided both strength and a method of attaching the button to clothing, eith...

Copper alloy 2-piece button back.

Copper/Copper Alloy | Object #: 1788235

This is the metal back of a two piece button. In this style of button, the face, or cover, of the button was commonly fashioned from a sheet of thin metal, usually a variety of copper alloy. Backings for these buttons provided both strength and a method of attaching the button to clothing, eith...