Horn button with impression inlay. A putto with butterfly wings riding on a cart pulled by a butterfly. Old horn buttons often have insect damages, as is the case with this button (back view photo not available).
Processed horn, in particular, is subject to damage by a tiny beetle … Suspect buttons may be wrapped and put in the freezer for several days to kill any possible live insects. Sometimes the damage is not obvious to the naked eye if in the design element on the front. – Button Materials A-Z: Identification Guide by Jocelyn Howells
Contributors: Peggy Mathes
The above is based on the National Button Society's Classification System.
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