Buttonhooks

 

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Item reference 2304
Item description a silver handled double combination buttonhook shoehorn in art nouveau style by William Devonport of 36 Spencer Street, Birmingham. It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1910 in the reign of George V
Dimensions 9 inches overall
Condition good original with some oxidisation of the steel horn
Photos
GBP / USD £28 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2303
Item description a 9ct gold foldover chatelaine glovehook inset with natural seed pearls, each pearl is individually set in a gold setting.The chain is probably not solid gold but is in good condition with a gold clasp. The box is rather nice & is included but may not be original
Dimensions 40mm open,  25mm closed
Condition the pearls are natural seed pearls with some variation in colour as can be seen in the photos
Photos
GBP / USD £105 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2287
Item description this solid tortoiseshell handled buttonhook would have been part of a top quality dressing set. Not only is it gilt plated but the LVM cartouche is set in solid gold
Dimensions 9 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £20 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2301
Item description A boxed presentation set of silver handled buttonhook, glove buttoner & glove stretchers by Hilliard & Thomason, established in 1847 at Spencer Street, Birmingham. The whole set, including case is in virtually untouched condition and looks as though the items have never been out of the case. The glove buttoner is a very unusual design. Makers' mark H&T B1893
Dimensions case 10 and 1/2 X 4 and 1/2 inches
Condition The whole set, including case is in virtually untouched condition and the steel shanks still retain the original silver plating
Photos
GBP / USD £85 GB (How to buy)
Status FOR SALE

Item reference 2302
Item description an unusual combination buttonhook & shoehorn in all-silver construction but with no marks. The whole piece is silver and ornately chased. The bird motif is reminiscent of early London boot buttonhooks.
Dimensions 6 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition some small "nicks" to the top of the shoehorn as can be seen in the photos, otherwise good
Photos
GBP / USD £30 GB  
Status SOLD




Item reference 2300
Item description an all-silver figural glovehook with gemstone eyes by Adie & Lovekin, established at Regent Street, Birmingham in 1879. It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1901.
Dimensions 2 and 1/4 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £35 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2299
Item description large, heavy washer handled trenchart buttonhook with disks of brass, aluminium and three colours of early plastic. Nicely facetted with six sides
Dimensions 8 and 5/8 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £9 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2298
Item description

An antique cast metal shoehorn in the form of a stylised ladies leg with boot. It is late 19th century, almost certainly French and similar to French leg button hooks of the same period.

Dimensions  9 inches overall length.
Condition Condition is original without restoration
Photos
GBP £25 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2297
Item description classic American celluloid jockey buttonhook, rarely found for sale in the UK!
Dimensions 5 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £20 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2296
Item description a steel glovehook with riveted tortoiseshell handle
Dimensions 4 and 5/8 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £4 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2295
Item description I am at a loss to describe accurately this celluloid handled buttonhook because I have never seen the like before ! I am sure it is some form of plastic, despite looking like ivory and has a floral design stencilled on the handle.
Dimensions 9 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition small crack near to the steel bolster, otherwise good
Photos
GBP £18 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2281
Item description The maker of this ivory & silver boot buttonhook made a number of large boothooks almost always incorporating silver with carved ivory in the days when ivory was a common commodity! The chased silver collar separates the ivory handle from the steel shank and is hallmarked B1889. Deakin & Francis were established in 1882 at Regent Street, Birmingham and continued in business until the 1980's
Dimensions 15 and 1/2 inches
Condition impact mark at the base of the ivory handle on one side, otherwise good original
Photos
GBP £65 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2294
Item description although this multi blade penknife shows evidence of much use over the years since it was made by William Adams of Birmingham in 1903, it has survived intact with all the blades working perfectly with a good, strong spring action. The silver scales are rubbed at one end but still exhibit the beautiful chased design. Well used but still a quality penknife
Dimensions 2 and 1/2 inches closed
Condition see above and note small chip on knife blade
Photos
GBP £25 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2293
Item description this little silver chatelaine combination buttonhook, scissors and knife blade was owned by "MARGARET" in 1910. It is by the maker James Alexander of Graham St Birmingham and hallmarked accordingly.
Dimensions 2 and 1/4 inches closed
Condition good with exception of broken knife blade
Photos
GBP £15 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2289
Item description in the early days of collecting, it took us years to find one of these beautifully turned French buttonhooks. They date from the early 19th century and according to Sue Brandon's book BUTTONHOOKS AND SHOEHORNS, possibly date from the Napoleonic wars. I cannot be certain of the wood but the multiple ring section looks like boxwood with a cap of lignum vitae
Dimensions 5 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £24 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2284
Item description the second of two John Nowill hooks, see item description ref 2283 for details of this maker. An ebony handled buttonhook with silver-gilt collar and gilded steel shaft, hallmarked for Sheffield 1889. The gilded shaft exhibits the "crossed keys" symbol plus the letter "D" and star which is the Cutlers Company mark dating from 1700
Dimensions 11  inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £15 GB (How to buy)
Status SOLD

Item reference 2283
Item description one of two John Nowill hooks, an impressive ivory & silver collar boot buttonhook by John Nowill of Sheffield, established in 1700 & whose son was Master Cutler in 1788. In addition to making buttonhooks on his own account, John Nowill made ornamental forged steel shanks for a number of prestigious makers, the multiple knops of the bolster being a feature of his style. Note also the "crossed keys" mark on the steel shank, one of the earliest marks granted by the Cutlers Company in 1842. The ivory handle is hand carved and the silver collar hallmarked for Sheffield 1889. If you wish to know more about this maker, see the article in the Buttonhook Society newsletter (The Boutonneur Nr 123 July 2000)
Dimensions 14 & 1/2 inches overall
Condition ivory is split as often is the case and some oxidisation of the steel shaft
Photos

GBP £30 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2278
Item description silver handled chatelaine glovehook by Adie & Lovekin established at Regent Street, Birmingham in 1879. It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1908
Dimensions 3 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £10 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2276
Item description folding silver penknife type with chatelaine ring by Levi & Salaman of Newhall Street, Birmingham. It has clear hallmarks for Birmingham 1900
Dimensions 1 and 3/4 inches closed
Condition good original, opens & closes with a satisfying "snap"
Photos
GBP £18 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2269
Item description a Victorian silver handled buttonhook with pierced trellis design by Levi & Salaman, established at Upper Hockley Street, Birmingham in 1873. It is hallmarked Birmingham 1895.
Dimensions 10 and 1/4 inches overall
Condition good crisp embossing with minor rubbing on the high spot as can be seen in the photos
Photos
GBP £20 GB  
Status SOLD




Item reference 2292
Item description a folding penknife type glovehook in Mother-of-Pearl with silver hook by Edmund Bell of Reliance Works, Sheffield. It is hallmarked for Sheffield 1902
Dimensions 3 and 1/4 inches open
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £5 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2291
Item description a cousin to the glovehook Nr 2290 but in a larger size and with thistle terminal. This is by the ubiquitous maker Adie & Lovekin and hallmarked for Birmingham 1908
Dimensions 7 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £16 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2290
Item description a silver handled glovehook with glass citrine stone terminal by William Vale & Sons of Unett St Birmingham. It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1917
Dimensions 3 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP £14 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2288
Item description a typical early English hand turned wood handled buttonhook, possibly in rosewood. Used with men's jerkins etc
Dimensions 4 and 3/4 inches overall
Condition small shrinkage crack near to shank
Photos
GBP £5 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2286
Item description a carved twist ivory handled boothook with silver mounts by Saunders & Shepherd, established in London in 1869. It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1890
Dimensions 12 & 3/4 inches overall
Condition very good original with smallest of hairline crack in the ivory as can be seen in the photos
Photos
GBP £38 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2285
Item description a stag antler boothook of manly proportions - I don't think this would have been a ladies hook! Although not possible to date accurately it would probably have been an early boothook judging by the generous dimensions and quality of materials
Dimensions 15 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £15 GB  
Status SOLD



Item reference 2282
Item description This unusual buttonhook is in the style of Japanese Shibyama but is made from celluloid rather than ivory. Never-the-less, it is hand painted in gold colours and has a raised bird motif, It may be from Japan as the painting is typical of Shibyama. However, whatever the origin it is a most attractive and unusual buttonhook
Dimensions 8 and 3/4 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £35 GB  
Status SOLD




Item reference 2280
Item description probably one of the smallest ball agate & claw glovehooks in gilt brass with chatelaine ring. The claw holds a beautiful striated marble
Dimensions 2 and 1/4 inches overall
Condition evidence of an early repair where the shank meets the handle but I do not believe it detracts from the overall appeal
Photos
GBP / USD £18 GB (How to buy)
Status SOLD

Item reference 2279
Item description some of the earliest buttonhooks are Mother of Pearl and steel and were part of extensive cased dressing sets comprising many silver & crystal items for the dressing table plus a full set of manicure tools including a glove buttonhook such as this. Many of these sets date from 1850 to 1880, well before the general button fashion came into being. The clue to the early date of this glovehook is the style of steel shank, it is hot forged with multiple knops forming the baluster. The marriage of the steel with a spiral fluted MoP handle is typical of the Sheffield craftsmanship from whence it came.
Dimensions 3 and 7/8 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £7 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2277
Item description unusual ivory/bone & steel folding penknife type in that it has two glovehook blades of different sizes
Dimensions 2 inches closed
Condition good original strong springs
Photos
GBP / USD £15 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2275
Item description an unusual gilt metal folding combination shoehorn & buttonhook with chamois leather case. I would think it dates from the 1920's and despite no marks was probably made in Sheffield
Dimensions 11 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £22 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2274
Item description Frederick Bradford McCrea of 54 Victoria Street, London is known for a small exclusive group of figural boothooks, all dating from the 1880's and this swan with reclining head is probably his best ! It is hallmarked 1889 and has Queen Victoria's head as the duty mark. The quality is quite remarkable, the silver handle is completely unworn and looks as though it has not been used. The steel shaft still retains all it's plated finish apart from one small blemish as can be seen in the photos. The cast silver head has real gemstone eyes which I believe are garnet cabachons.
Dimensions 14 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition remarkable, see above description
Photos
GBP / USD £225 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2273
Item description a rather unusual William Comyns combination shoehorn & buttonhook with steel shaft hallmarked London 1901. Comyns would have been working with his son by this time at 54 Marshall St, Soho, London.
It is of particular heavy quality with an engraved cartouche
Dimensions 10 and 1/2 inches overall, weight 95 grams
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £45 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2272
Item description a gold folding penknife type glovehook with chain
Dimensions 1 and 3/4 inches excluding chain
Condition good mechanical action, closes with a satisfying "snap". Small wear blemish on one side
Photos
GBP / USD £15 GB  
Status SOLD

 

Item reference 2271
Item description a Whitby Jet glovehook with inscription. We have had this glovehook for some time but have recently found another without the repair. If you haven't one of these in your collection, perhaps better a repaired one than not at all?
Dimensions 3 and 1/4 inches
Condition repaired as seen in the photo
Photos
GBP / USD £12 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2270
Item description an most unusual all-silver articulated glove buttoner by Rolason Bros of 81 Vyse Street, Birmingham. It is marked PATENTED and  hallmarked Birmingham 1887.
Dimensions 2 and 1/8 inches open
Condition seen better days but worth acquiring from an academic point of view!
Photos
GBP / USD £12 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2268
Item description A typical Sheffield made buttonhook with handle that has all the indications of being carved ivory - but I am not sure! The material shows faint discoloration which is also typical of ivory and there is a silver plated ferule between the steel shank and the handle
Dimensions 8 and 3/4 inches overall
Condition small chip on top of terminal otherwise good original
Photos
GBP / USD £15 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2267
Item description silver & guilloche enamel handle engine turned in classic 1920's style. Maker is Henry Matthews of Vittoria Street, Birmingham and hallmarked B1922
Dimensions 7 inches overall
Condition very minor surface scratch otherwise good original
Photos
GBP / USD £22 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2265
Item description a novelty version of the ubiquitous advertising hook which is a "puzzle" i.e. how do the two items come apart? It looks quite simple but I can assure you it is not! Something of a rarity in that one half is stamped TIDY BETTY STOVE & GRATE POLISH, and the other READ PEARSON'S WEEKLY. Give it to the grandchildren to solve and it will give them hours of pleasure!!
Dimensions each hook is just over 3 inches
Condition
each part when separated is identical with exception the advertising slogan. I do not think Pearson's Weekly would have been happy promoting Tidy Betty polish and vice versa so the complete article would not have originated as such.
However, the two parts do fit together to complete the puzzle, originate from the same date (circa) so it is a bit of an enigma
Photos
GBP / USD £20 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2264
Item description an unusual buttonhook with a machined steel quadrant shaft & brass ferule. The handle appears to be made from an organic material, possibly horn and is semi-translucent. Has characteristics of a trench art hook but made from totally different materials.
Dimensions 7 and 1/4 inches overall
Condition some oxidisation of the steel, otherwise good original
Photos
GBP / USD £15 GB  
Status SOLD


Item reference 2257
Item description unusual hammered silver handled loop buttoner with chatelaine ring, marked STERLING 935.
Dimensions 2 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition Good original with exception some oxidisation of the steel shaft
Photos
GBP / USD £9 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2252
Item description I particularly like these rustic shoehorn combinations, it is a steel buttonhook with brass shoehorn with original old patina
Dimensions 6 and 1/2 inches open
Condition Good original
Photos
GBP / USD £5 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2253
Item description this most unusual extra long boot buttonhook is of unknown origin. The handle is made from an early form of plastic simulated to look like ivory and is very realistic. Inset into the handle is a silver coloured  metal filigree design incorporating flowers, leaves and a stylistic bird. The manufacturing characteristics of the steel shank are distinctly Sheffield so maybe it is from an English maker.
Dimensions 16 inches overall
Condition not in the best condition with a couple of small losses of the filigree metal and a crack at the end of the handle. It is, never-the-less, a handsome piece
Photos
GBP / USD £20 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2223
Item description 4 assorted steel advertising buttonhooks, Tyler's, R & J Dick, etc.
Dimensions 5 inches
Condition untouched
Photos
GBP / USD £2 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2226
Item description 4 assorted steel advertising buttonhooks, Wood Milne, Public Benefit etc.
Dimensions 5 inches
Condition untouched
Photos
GBP / USD £2 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2193
Item description feather cut mother of pearl handled glovehook with silver plated shank
Dimensions 3 inches overall
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £4 GB  
Status SOLD

Item reference 2195
Item description silver bladed folding glovehook with MoP scales by FH Sheffield 1902
Dimensions 3 and 1/2 inches open
Condition good original
Photos
GBP / USD £5 GB  
Status SOLD

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Item description  
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Condition
Photos  
GBP / USD   (How to buy)
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