Record ID: CORN-EA12A0
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy, silver-plated large button, of likely post-Medieval origin. The button is a circular in plan with a separate soldered iron looped shank on the reverse. On the button, there is a portcullis, surrounded by a circular band, and a crown sits atop this circular band at 12 o'clock. Written in the circular band are the words: 'Honi soit qui mal y pense', Old French roughly translating to 'Shame on anyone who thinks evil of it'. Such a saying was originally a maxim in the Anglo-Norman language, (a dialect of Old Norman French), which was…
Created on: Monday 22nd January 2024
Last updated: Tuesday 27th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-A035E1
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Devon
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead 'Dandy' button dating from the Post-Medieval period AD 1700 - 1800.  The front of the button has surface decoration of a concentric annulate design, of alternating silver and gilt surface coating.  There are no traces remaining of the silver on the reverse and is undecorated apart from the mark of the missing suspension loop.  Measurements: Diameter, 23.64mm; Thickness, 5.77mm ;Weight, 5.73g
Created on: Saturday 26th August 2023
Last updated: Thursday 31st August 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-79B419
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper-alloy button of post-Medieval date, c. AD 1600 - 1700. The button is discoidal with a convex front and concave back. It has an integrally cast and drilled rectangular loop set centrally on the back. The front bears the incised motif of a six-pointed star with a series of small circles in its centre. The star is bordered with small circles all away around the circumfrance of the button. In each angle between the star and the border are larger crescents.  Measurements: Diameter: 24.26 mm; Height (including shank): 8.4 mm; Thickness:…
Created on: Monday 31st July 2023
Last updated: Monday 15th January 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-F3C672
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete, lead-alloy decorated discoidal, plano-convex button of probable late Medieval to Post-medieval date (c. AD 1300-1700). The button is circular in plan and D-shaped in cross-section. The front of the button is decorated with a small central boss from which there are eight radiating lines or ridges that extend to the outer edges. Interrupting the centre of each line is a small drop-shaped boss. In the centre of each segment created by the lines on the front face is small dot (eight in total), cast in relief, although some of these are less evident due to wear.  The back…
Created on: Wednesday 1st March 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 30th May 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C40BD9
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead-alloy button with an integral shank, dating to the Post Medieval period. The object has a convex surface and a concave underside, with the shank broken at the very base of the loop. The head is conical in shape and decorated with with raised decoration in the form of a 'wheel' of eight spokes. The spokes radiate from a central pellet within a small circle. The lead is now a dark grey in colour. Measurements: Diameter, 15.85mm; Thickness including shank, 7.60mm; Weight, g Similar buttons can be found on the PAS database such as IOW-3BDB43, YORYM-F8A2EC a…
Created on: Monday 11th July 2022
Last updated: Wednesday 13th July 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-4D1386
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Post-Medieval lead-alloy button, dating to c.AD 1600 - 1700. The button is circular in plan and D-shaped in section, having a domed front. The front of the button is decorated with at the apex with a moulded annulet, radiating from the annulet are eight moulded lines, possibly spoked wheel decoration. The rear is undecorated but has retained a thick attachment loop which is slightly off centre. The semi-circular loop is rectangular in plan and in section. The button is mostly complete, some of the outer edge is worn. Similar shaped lead buttons are illustrated in Read (2005) M…
Created on: Saturday 11th June 2022
Last updated: Friday 17th June 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-A4605D
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead-alloy button with an integral shank, dating to the Post Medieval period. The object has a convex surface and a concave underside, with the shank broken at the very base of the loop. The head is conical in shape and decorated with with raised decoration in the form of a 'wheel' of eight spokes. The spokes radiate from a central pellet within a small circle. The lead is now a dark grey in colour. Measurements: Diameter, 23.03mm; Thickness including shank, 7.73mm; Weight, 8.92g Similar buttons can be found on the PAS database such as IOW-3BDB43, YORYM-F8A2…
Created on: Tuesday 10th May 2022
Last updated: Monday 30th May 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-30AA6C
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper alloy button dating to c. AD 1650. It is discoidal in shape with a central moulded in-relief boss surrounded by six slightly smaller bosses. The central boss has a five pointed star with a central pellet and pellets between each arm of the star. The six other bosses have the same design but the stars are four pointed. There are six small pellets arranged around the central boss between the six other bosses. There are curved chevrons around the edge of the button. The reverse of the button is concave with an attachment loop. An almost identical button can be found …
Created on: Wednesday 22nd December 2021
Last updated: Wednesday 19th January 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-B93353
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: East Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast solid tin or tin alloy button with a slightly raised centre within a border of raised pellets. The back has the raised circular base, 2 mm in diameter, of an attachment loop and some iron staining around it suggesting that this might have been made of iron. But similar examples of tiny tin buttons, referenced below, have solid simple looped shanks that are circular in section and made of the same material in general. Egan & Pritchard (2002) illustrate a tin button with a border of raised pellets and the base of a solid circular shank on the bank on p.275, fig.178, no.1382, whi…
Created on: Thursday 20th June 2019
Last updated: Monday 24th June 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-7C883D
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A small domed button or toggle with a wooden head and a stamped copper alloy attachment loop. The wooden head is oval in plan and semi-circular in profile, with a vertical central hole drilled through it to attach the metal wire loop. This button is unusual since it is made of wood and has a metal loop connected to it, compared to other Medieval and Post-medieval buttons which are usually made entirely of metal. This button shares similarities with the design of the 18th-century two-piece buttons, except that none of the illustrated examples in Bailey (2004, p.80) have an oval domed h…
Created on: Thursday 28th February 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 19th March 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-992A36
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast lead button, circular in plan and plano-convex in profile with a slightly domed face and a flat back. The face is decorated with a moulded six-spoked wheel design within a raised border before a stepped edge. On the back, the integral fastening shank is square in profile and rectangular in section, 6.5 mm square externally and 4 mm thick, with an aperture that is 3 mm square internally. On one side of the shank, on the back of the button, there are three narrow, parallel ribs at 1 mm intervals; on the opposite, slightly damaged side, only a single rib is visible. These are seam…
Created on: Thursday 26th July 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 31st July 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-D85291
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast lead alloy button with a raised moulded cross on the front face and an integral cast short rectangular shank pierced for attachment on the back. Although the button is crudely made, the type of shank suggests that it is post-medieval in date. According to Bailey (2004) buttons of the Medieval period, dating from the 13th to the 15th century, usually have a cast circular loop for attachment, and a straight casting line on the reverse, as does a lead alloy button illustrated on p.17, fig.6.1. But Bailey also illustrates a lead alloy button with a pierced rectangular shank and no ca…
Created on: Thursday 16th November 2017
Last updated: Monday 27th November 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-CD25AA
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast copper alloy one-piece button, circular in plan and domed in profile with integral drilled shank, dating from the middle of 17th century. The convex face has engraved decoration with a lozenge-shaped central motif bordered by small pellets, surrounded by four flower petals alternating with stylised stamens of stalked cups enclosing pellets, and all within a ring of pellets around the circumference edge of the button. The shank hole contains the residue of an iron link. Read (2005) illustrates a similar button on page 40, no.134 which dates from the mid-17th century.
Created on: Wednesday 15th November 2017
Last updated: Sunday 26th November 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-151698
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete cast zinc alloy (tombac) three piece button, with only the upper half of the button remaining. This piece is hollow, with a domed faceted face with six raised triangles coming to a point in the centre, and a further six square and six triangular facets below the dome, around the circumference of the base. The front and back would have been soldered together with a simple separate looped shank attached to the back. Read (2005) illustrates a similar faceted three-piece button on page 87, no.363, which is dated from the late 17th to the 18th century. Bailey (2004) illust…
Created on: Thursday 19th January 2017
Last updated: Sunday 22nd January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-14E6A4
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast metal alloy discoidal button with convex front and concave back with an integral drilled rectangular-section trapezoidal shank with a rounded end. The upper face of the button is decorated with a five petalled flower in the centre surrounded by pendant floral swags and a border of multiple half-moon stamps. The upper face has been silvered, with substantial traces of silvering remaining in the concave areas of the design. The button appears to conform to the type illustrated by Read (2005) on pages 44-45, nos.154-156, which is dated from the mid 17th to the 18th century. He st…
Created on: Thursday 19th January 2017
Last updated: Sunday 22nd January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-F89BC4
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete cast lead button, oval in plan and flat in profile, but slightly bent through damage. The upper surface of the button is undecorated and would originally have been more circular in plan, but one edge is missing. At the back of the button, there is a transverse trough between the two base lugs of the integral attachment loop or shank, which has broken open and been bent back towards the button. The broken loop or shank is D-shaped in section and has a flattened terminal so that the aperture would have originally been ovate in section. Bailey (2004) illustrates a lead allo…
Created on: Wednesday 18th January 2017
Last updated: Sunday 29th January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-F7A569
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast lead alloy one-piece button, circular in plan and trapezoidal in profile with an everted lateral rim and an incomplete attachment loop. The incomplete attachment loop is 9.4 mm long, 5.1 mm wide and 4.9 mm thick,with two broken stubs that are lozenge-shaped in section, and two recesses on either side which do not quite form a perforation through the middle of the loop. The upper face has a thin layer of white corrosion material on its surface, with eight irregular depressions or gashes in the face which are probably the result of damage recieved once in the ground. Bailey (200…
Created on: Wednesday 18th January 2017
Last updated: Sunday 29th January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-28CD28
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast copper alloy one-piece button, circular in plan and flat in profile, with an integral fastening loop at the back. The face of the button is decorated with an incised six-petalled flower backed with six pointed leaves. The petals have parallel incised lines running transversely through them. The rosette is surrounded by an incised circular border, following the edge of the button. The back of the button has a circular copper alloy attachment loop with an aperture that is 4 mm in diameter. Read (2005) illustrates a button with the same pattern on page 79, no.324, which is dated …
Created on: Thursday 15th December 2016
Last updated: Friday 16th December 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-9FBC87
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete lead alloy pimple button, missing parts of its edge, circular in plan and flat in profile with a small central raised boss on the face (the "pimple") and the stubs of the broken attachment loop on the reverse. Bailey (2004) describes this arrangement as "a small shank terminating in a loop" on page 18, and notes that the resulting raised cast mark in the form of a thin line across the reverse is a feature that is particular to buttons of any size from the 13th to the 15th centuries. If it is medieval and not later then the material is most likely to be pewter. Bailey (2…
Created on: Wednesday 2nd November 2016
Last updated: Wednesday 9th November 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-46848A
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Silver-plated copper alloy button of the Penzance Volunteers depicting the head of John the Baptist on a platter or charger central in the field, and the legend PENZANCE above and VOLUNTEERS below the head. The wire attachment loop remains on the back of the button, but has been flattened so that it is 3 mm high and 6 mm in length and 1.5 mm in thickness. Penlee House Museum and Art Gallery in Penzance have an example of one of these buttons on display (PEZPH : 2002.96) which is dated from c.1794-1797. Ivall & Thomas (1974) illustrate a similar button but with a younger head on pag…
Created on: Friday 23rd September 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 27th September 2016
Spatial data recorded.