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Birmingham Button's: Floral Enamel Buttons (c. 1745-c. 1765)


These enamel buttons were almost certainly produced in Birmingham between about 1745 and 1765, and were possibly made in the manufactory of John Talyor. Taylor ran, probably, the largest manufactory in Birmingham at this time, including making enamel toys and gilt buttons. These buttons have a painted enamel centre set in gilt metal. There were other button-makers and enamellers in the town, but the combining of the two makes Taylor's factory a likely candidate for their manufacture. If they were not the product of Taylor's manufactory then they were probably produced through collaboration, with one maker producing the enamel circles and another mounting them in gilt metal.

Two sets of enamel buttons are held at Wolverhampton Museum, one depicting honeysuckles and the other roses. Each flower is hand painted, and each slightly different from the next.


Full set held at Wolverhampton Museum.


Full set held at Wolverhampton Museum.