la Brocanteuse

Feb 24, 2011

Buttons


EX.UNITATE.VIRES ~ ENGINEERS GENIE






I have my own Antique Route that I follow every few weeks..
Little shops that have been around for years, for they have followers like me that simply cannot resist a good find.
Such were these buttons ~ the dealer had them grouped and sewn on cardboard squares.
I honestly  gave a little yell when I opened the  draw of an old dresser and found them  hidden away.Well I suppose they were not hidden but simply put away and forgotten.
It was like discovering  long lost  jewels.



SA ~ SOUTH AFRICA     
S.A.A ~ SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS  
SAP ~ SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE


Sentered at the top (copper with centered crown and sunburst) ~ AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES


Spring buck in circle below SAP
"UNION IS STRENTH"  ~ EENDRAG MAAK MAG













 I would like to know where these were used.
I am unable to make out the script on the elephant button, and also  love the crown.
both these look very colonial to me.


Black Bakelite with centered crown POLICE FORCE



S.A.A.F~ SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE
S.A.L.M~  SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGMAG
UNITAS ~ SKIETKOMMANDO ( soldier  kneeling with rifle, circled  in South Africa's national flower, the PROTEA)


ROYAL VISIT ~ KONINKLIKE BESOEK (Centre below UNITAS)

The Afrikaans versions on some of the buttons make them extra valuable. 





FOR KING AND EMPIRE SEVICES RENDERED ~ 






I would have liked it if the buttons were identified..I must do some research.  
Any South Africans out there that recognize any?




Have a lovely weekend.
We are in for another "take it slow in the heat"  this weekend, so I shall be lazy and relaxing...



  Colx

 

15 comments:

The House That A-M Built said...

Oh they are magnificent Colette. I would have yelped on finding them too! A-M xx

La Brocanteuse said...

Hello A-M,
nice to hear from you ~ did you see the AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES button! xo Colette

Deborah said...

Fascinating - and what attention to detail. I love the one cast as Mercury.

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

These are gorgeous treasures, Colette. I adore the pillow in your last picture.

Een fijn weekend!
Have a happy weekend!

@nne said...

Afrikaans klinkt voor mij als klokjes in de oren ... zo poëtisch! Een mooie avond, @nne

Dianne said...

What a fabulous find Collette and I'm thinking of the history behind these buttons. Hopefully some of them can be identified.
Enjoy your week-end and keep cool.
xx
"All Things French"

bikim said...

it's always such a pleasure to visit you!!!!!!!!!
love the buttons!!!! in fact, it's hard to peek the ones i like!!!
enjoy your weekend Colette!
Rosa

Just Verte said...

Colette, wonderful detailed pictures of the buttons. Now I have something else to collect! BTW, I found your lovely blog via Trish of Trouvais and will visit you often.

Cheers, April

Acquired Objects said...

Those buttons are amazing! I have a friend who collects buttons and I never understood it until I saw all the workmanship that went into a single small closure. They’re miniature works of art! Have a lovely weekend relaxing Colette!

Trouvais said...

Love buttons, too...and a story behind every one! Hope you're having a great weekend! XOXO!! Trish

Mona thompson said...

Colette, What a fabulous find! I would have had to have them myself. Really love the crests and crowns. Take care! XOXO Mona

CUATRO ESPECIAS Por ELENA ZULUETA DE MADARIAGA said...

Really nice.
I like so much this kind of little shops.
How beautifull are all these things

With love

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Must have been a big drawer Colette! How nice to come across them again, love the elephant medal
Sharon

lvroftiques said...

How wonderful to open a drawer and find all of those! I'd be doing the happy dance! Vanna

bikim said...

just wishing you
happy day

♥ ♥
Rosa