Das Knopfbuch

Buttons have existed for thousands of years. The first ones were made from stones, teeth, or bones. They were designed to hold together fur, coats, or cloaks, serving both as fasteners and decorative elements of clothing. This volume provides an overview of the cultural history of buttons and showcases the variety of materials, from stone nut buttons to mother-of-pearl buttons, from brass fasteners to industrially produced plastic buttons. It tells the story of "blind buttons," button maker guilds, and buttons as currency.