Buttonhook circa 1910 with a 'French Ivory' Handle (SOLD)

This buttonhook is a large size being 7 inches in length with the steel and hook end and the Handle both being 3.5 inches approximately.  The handle is actually Celluloid.  An early plastic invented in the Victorian era and employed to imitate Ivory on cutlery handles, sewing accessories, vintage costume jewellery and other items.  It was often known as 'Ivorine' or 'French Ivory'.  This buttonhook has the words 'French Ivory' marked on the handle.  Sturdy and ready to do up buttons on a bridal frock this budget priced hook is also quite collectors item for anyone who likes early and Bakelite era plastics.  It dates from the early part of the the 20th Century - circa 1900 to 1910. 

A Testimonial from Mrs. Jemma Traynor -

'Thank you for the buttonhook, it was the most useful thing for helping with the small buttons on the back of my silk wedding dress.  My bridesmaid found it so easy to use.  We both think that it saved her manicured nails from any damage too!  I also have a pretty antique as a keepsake and feel sure that it may come in handy again.'

More information for collectors -

There is a strong  interest in buttons and buttonhooks of all kinds not just in the UK but across Continental Europe and the USA too.   A recommended publication is the Shire Book 'Buttonhooks and Shoehorns'  ISBN 0-85263-696-2 which traces the origins of these collectables. With lots of photos, it explains the various types of hook :-glove hooks, boot buttonhooks, combination hooks with a shoehorn etc.,  the many materials used to make them:-real gold and silver, to steels with other handles - mother of pearl, horn, ivory, bone, early plastics, bakelite, celluloid and other metals. There is information about how they were used for early advertising and  the methods of manufacture in the 19th Century and early 20th Century and the reasons why they became popular and, as fashions changed, fell out of favour.