POST MEDIEVAL BUTTON

1625

A button made of cast lead or lead alloy. The head is sub-circular, with some portions of the edge being abraded. The decoration on the head is in high-relief and consists of a crude portrait of either Charles I or II, in profile facing left. The bust is wearing head wear, possibly a crown, has long wavy hair, but otherwise there is no detail, partly due to wear. In the fields, with a pellet above and below, on either side of the bust there is a ‘C’ and ‘R’. The reverse of the head has a linear casting seam and an integral loop. The loop is misshapen due to damage, but is a pointed oval in section. The surface of the button has a dark grey patina. The button measures 31.7mm diameter and 13.01mm thick. It weighs 17.85g. The depiction of Charles I or II suggests a 17th century date. A similar style button is illustrated in Egan and Pritchard (2002 Dress Accessories Boydell Press) No. 1381 and dated to the 15th century, but the recorded example suggests these buttons continued into the mid Post Medieval.