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The Victorians had beautifully fashioned implements for
every need. Their toiletry sets came in sterling, ebony, ivory and celluloid and
they were decorative as well as useful.
Many of their wonderful items would be useable today, but one tool
for which we would have little use it the button hook.
In spite of that fact, many collectors find them irresistible, with their
elaborate handles and design.
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Button Hooks |
Note: These items were
photographed from private collections and are for reference only and not
for sale.
Jewelry that is available for sale can be accessed from the links at the bottom of this page.
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CATALOGUE Daniel Low &
Co 1901
Showing "Floral Toilet Sets" in sterling, including mirrors, brushes, combs, nail files
and button hooks priced from $1.00 to $10.75 each. |
Lovely lady wearing elbow length gloves. |
CATALOGUE Daniel Low & Co
1901
Showing "Ebony Toilet Articles with Silver Mountings" |
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STERLING matched vanity set
including 5" scraper, 7-1/3" button hook, 6-3/4" file and 7" brush,
circa 1890. View |
TWISTED sterling
handled steel blade set of button hook and shoe horn in red leatherette
case, each 6-3/4". (Missing from the set is a matching glove hook.) Circa
1920. View
Handles
Hallmarks |
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Hooks were sold in sizes appropriate for both glove and
shoe buttons. In the early 1880s a sewing machine used to attach buttons
to high top shoes was invented. Shoe buttons themselves were usually
made of fiber or glass.
When World War I made leather scarce, high top shoes went out of fashion
taking button hooks along with them.
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HOOKS 6-3/4" button hook and
2-1/2" glove hook |
For more information about the inventor and manufacturer
of buttons,
CLICK
HERE |
GLOVE HOOK sterling handled with
ornate design, 2-1/2". |
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Both glove and shoe button hooks were used in the
same manner, and both require a bit of coordination to use.
Ladies kid gloves fit snuggly, and came in wrist, elbow and full length.
Each length was appropriate for a particular outfit and event. |
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GLOVE hook with ladies kid glove.
View |
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GLOVE hook with
ladies kid glove. |
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CATALOGUE
Unger Brothers 1904. View |
UNGER Brothers catalogue, 1904,
showing their selection of button hooks. |
CATALOGUE Daniel Low & Co 1901
"Floral Toilet Sets", including mirrors, brushes, combs, nail files and
button hooks priced from $10.75 to 1.00 each. |
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STERLING handled button hook with purple rhinestone tip, 6".
View
View #a51009 |
STERLING aesthetic pocket knife
style double glove and button hook, 2-1/3" closed, 4" open.
View #51010 |
STERLING floral
handled button hook, 6-1/2".
View #a51008 |
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CATALOGUE Daniel Low & Co 1901
Showing several styles of button and glove hooks. |
CATALOGUE Daniel
Low & Co 1901
Showing several styles of button and glove hooks. |
SET Unger Brothers
1904 |
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HOOKS, top to bottom:
plastic handle, 5-1/4"
celluloid handle, 6-1/2"
celluloid handle, marked "La Reine", 7-1/2"
celluloid handle, 6-1/3"
plastic handle with gold design, 7"
with plastic handle marked "Acwalite", 8-1/4"
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HOOKS
All circa 1920 |
HANDLES
CLOSER VIEW |
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HOOK for shoe buttons with black plastic handle,
7-1/4". |
HOOK for gloves with laminated handle,
3-3/4".
Closer View |
HOOK
black plastic handle, 7-1/4"
with laminated handle, 3-3/4" |
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HOOK with plastic handle marked "Acwalite",
8-1/4". |
ADVERTISING shoe button hooks, , top to bottom
"Hammersmiths- Galveston- Houston", 5-1/8"
"Givens Bros Shoe Co, 16 stores"
"John Wanamaker, New York", 5-1/3" |
HOOK plastic handle
with gold design, 7". |
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Note: These items were photographed from private collections, and are for
reference only. Jewelry that is available
for sale can be accessed at the links below.
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JEWELRY FOR SALE accessible below.
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