Antique perfume buttons......Little beauties with an interesting story....
Perfume buttons were made in the 1800's and usually consist of many pieces basically stacked together. Tin is usually used as the back of the button, then a cardboard disc is stacked on top of this. Next to follow is a fabric disc, usually brown or black velvet, but I have seen other weave fabrics used, also. The last piece stacked on top varies from button to button. Sometimes you can find perfume buttons with one more disk placed on top of the velvet which has a cut-out design. On top of that is a brass ring wrapped around the edge of the button to hold it all together. Sometimes you will find only one piece on top of the velvet consisting of a border and a cut-out design. I believe the one in the picture to be the latter, however, it is difficult to tell without holding the button in your hand and inspecting it :]
Images on the buttons can vary from flowers, to leaves to actual pictures (like birds, buildings, etc.). Perfume buttons can also be found to depict simple designs only.
Now the tricky part....the story behind the buttons. I have heard two versions of the story...
Version 1:
Perfume buttons were manufactured to give ladies a place to put thier perfume without staining thier typically expensive dresses. Since the button has fabric and the cardboard insert, one would put a drop or two of perfume on the button, keeping it off the dress. I would tend to argue this one as one doesn't usually put perfume on the dress, but on the skin on various pressure points (the heat of the pressure points distributes the scent). Also, protecting the garment could not have been guaranteed as if you put too much perfume on a button, it will drip on the clothes...that's a matter of logic.
Version 2:
Perfume buttons were manufactured as a remedy to staving off the smell of the not-so-freshly-bathed body. Let's face it. In Victorian times, daily bathing was not an option. It was something that was usually done once a week (or less). After a while, the body begins to emit some pretty offensive odors, hence, perfume buttons. A few drops on these buttons should stave away undesirable odors. Now, when reviewing this, I have a hard time coming up with an argument for it with the exception of, wouldn't you scent your body? So why would you need to scent buttons? As a novelty?
Now, we cannot prove either version to be true, unless you can find documentation in an old publication proving so. Otherwise, we would have to summon up old Great-Great-Aunt-Bessie's ghost and ask her ourselves. Now, I have a reprint from a 1897 Sears Roebuck Catalog...alas, nothing in there. If you can offer some concrete proof, please feel free to comment!
I think the one thing that is not disputed is that women used to give them to boyfriends/husbands to keep with them should they have to travel far or go to war (so that the man can keep his woman's scent near to him). How Romantic!
Oh, the other undisputable thing...they sure are fantastic little buttons!
