a matching pair of Art Deco silver & enamel buttonhook & shoe horn by Adie Bros established in 1906 at 45 Frederick Street, Birmingham. The assay mark is for Birmingham 1930

Item reference: 3638-a
Dimensions: 7 and 3/4 inches overall
Condition: enamel good antique original, steel shoehorn blade some wear
Price: £75 GB
Status: Sold

an all-silver figural buttonhook by George W Shiebler & Co, established in 1876 in New York USA,

The aesthetic design incorporates a pair of sea shells back to back. The design number 1424 is stamped on the shaft with STERLING  plus the Shiebler wings makers mark.

Item reference: 3643
Dimensions: 3 inches overall
Condition: good antique original
Price: £40 GB
Status: Sold

an all-silver figural buttonhook by George W Shiebler & Co, established in 1876 in New York USA,

The Art Deco design incorporates a twisted stem with prunus blossom, crab & dove symbols. The design number 1505 is stamped on the shaft with STERLING  plus the Shiebler wings makers mark. In addition in bears a personal cartouche with date Jan 30th 1889

Item reference: 3642
Dimensions: 7 inches overall
Condition: perfect antique original
Price: £140 GB
Status: Sold

an all-silver figural buttonhook by George W Shiebler & Co, established in 1876 in New York USA,

This design incorporating a twisted stem and pierced ball terminal appears to be unique among the designs recorded in the Buttonhook Society archives, there are a number of “ball” terminal examples but this is the exception with a pierced  version. The early design number 235 is stamped on the shaft with STERLING  plus the Shiebler wings makers mark

Item reference: 3641
Dimensions: 9 inches overall
Condition: perfect antique original
Price: £150 GB
Status: Sold

a stunning example of Irish bog oak carving, an antique buttonhook incorporating two classic emblems of Irish folklore, the Irish harp and clover leaf

bog oak is often referred to as black oak – this decaying vegetation forms the bogs, as the turf is cut the ancient oak is uncovered where it has lain for thousands of years. It is soft and pliable at first but as it is exposed to the air it becomes rock hard.

Item reference: 3646
Dimensions: 7 and 5/8 inches
Condition: perfect antique original
Price: £60 GB
Status: Sold

a most unusual penknife buttonhook with bone scales in the shape of a spoon. The images are all tea related, teapot, teacup etc and it is stamped with a Rd number 219406 dating it to 1893

Item reference: 3647
Dimensions: 3 inches closed overall
Condition: some surface oxidation of the knife blade, mechanically sound with strong springs
Price: £65 GB
Status: Sold

a Chinese Export all-silver combination buttonhook & shoehorn by maker ZEEWO who traded out of Shanghai in the late 19th early 20th century. The design is classic Chinese dragon wrapped around the handle with simulated bamboo shank

Item reference: 3636
Dimensions: 11 & 1/4 inches overall
Condition: perfect antique original
Price: £190 GB
Status: Sold

An antique figural buttonhook of a woodsman, carved from lime wood in a style typical of Swiss or German Black Forest carvings. As can be seen in the photos, the quality carving is extremely fine and detailed.  

Item reference: 3637
Dimensions: 8 & 1/2 inches overall
Condition: the figure is very good antique original, with some pitting of the steel shaft
Price: £48
Status: Sold

an interesting small Chinese Export silver buttonhook embossed with prunus blossom by Luen Wo who traded out of Shanghai in the late 19th early 20th Century

Item reference: 3639
Dimensions: 4 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition: good antique original
Price: £65
Status: Sold

a silver handled buttonhook which is a facsimile of the boot hook ref #3630 but in a smaller size. The handle is sterling silver but the date & makers marks are “rubbed”

Item reference: 3631
Dimensions: 6 and 1/2 inches overall
Condition: good antique original
Price: £15 GB
Status: Sold