Button Hooks are small hooks for fastening a button on shoes or gloves. Antique Button Hooks are very collectible due to their attractive and often elaborate handles. Different sizes were used for gloves and shoes. Button Hooks were very popular in the Victorian and Edwardian era especially after the invention of a sewing machine, by James Morely in 1880, which was used to attach buttons to high top shoes in 1880. The buttons themselves were usally made of fibre or glass.
High top shoes went out of fashion during World War I. This was because leather was scarce through this time. At this time button hooks also became less popular but are still a delight to collectors and with fashion coming and going throughout the ages, can still have a practical purpose today.
Button hook with silver handle decorated on front and back with jungle scenes. Workshop of: Oomersee Mawjee (part of Oomersee Mawjee set, but not stamped.) biography 20thC (early)
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
A silver handled button hook with embossed fruiting vine decoration. Hallmarked Birmingham 1908 maker William Devenport 6 3/4” long.
Sold for £10 at Dickins Auctioneers Ltd in 2018
Silver and mother of pearl button hook, English, 1800-1900
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
