Bone Button Value Guide

These 19th-century bone buttons represent a transition from utilitarian craft to mass-produced garment fasteners. Carved from cattle or deer bone, their unique three-hole configuration makes them a distinct find for collectors of historical haberdashery.

What Is Bone Button Worth?

The typical price range for Bone Button is $5 - $15 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of original staining or decorative carving can push the value toward the $15 mark.
• Condition is critical; buttons without chips, cracks, or significant discoloration from age command higher prices.
• Provenance or evidence of being part of a matching set from a specific 19th-century garment increases collector interest.

How to Identify Bone Button?

• Look for the characteristic three-hole pattern which is less common than the standard two or four-hole varieties.
• Examine the surface for natural grain lines or small pores typical of animal bone, distinguishing it from smooth plastic.
• Check for slight irregularities in the circular shape and hole placement, indicating manual or early mechanical carving from the 1800-1900 era.

History of Bone Button

Buttons made from bone have a long and rich history, predating plastic and many metal buttons. They were particularly common from the 17th to the 19th centuries, often carved from animal bones such as cattle or deer. Bone buttons were valued for their durability and natural aesthetic, and were used on everything from utilitarian garments to more decorative clothing. The craftsmanship varied, with some being simple and functional, while others were elaborately carved or stained.