Page 48 - October1997

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Glass buttons decorated with embedded yellow metal trim constitute a neat and cohesive class-so
long, that is, as the qualifuing "yellow" appears in the class name. The more familiar and less awkward
term "Metal Embedded", however, allows a few steel-trimrned strays to demand admission on a liber-
al interpretation ofthe word "embedded". These steel-decorated buttons are oftwo types.
S-l and S-2 are black swirlbacks topped offwith, respectively, a thin five-point star of steel, and
a ten-pointed rowel of similar material. These omaments have the appearance of being merely "stuck
to" the top surface, rather than pressed into it as the yellow metal omaments generally appear to be.
S-3, S-4 and S-5 show flat steel omaments fifted into obviously preformed depressions in the glass
and held there by cement or some other binding agent. None ofthem are swirlbacks. S-3 is a thick flat
button ofclear glass with a wire loop shank inserted into a smooth back. S-4 and S-5 are flat disks of
opaque white glass with small shank plates.
S-5. Shown in white as well as in black glass.
5-6. Similar to S-4 and S-5 but larger and thicker with sloped sides and carved design around cen-
ter design.
S-7. A small transparent red glass with steel bar sct in center impression ofsame shape and size.

I

vz
U1 u3
U. (Unlisted)
U-1. Small clambroth button similar to D- I with twisted wire but this one has a faceted black glass
cone top.
U-2. Similar to D-2 but not ball shaped and the metal embedded ring is plain, not twisted wire.
U-3. Cobalt with embedded wire having a main top flower form which then wraps around whole
button.
U4. Never before seen-a metal embedded chain coils around entire red body.
In conclusion it must be stated, as, let it be hoped, has already been plainly implied, that the above
catalogue of embedded-yellow-metal-trim buttons is not exhaustive. Any collector sufficiently inter-
ested in the tlpe to wade through this list will in all probability come across color variants lurking in
his, or her, own collection, and with luck may find as well an unlisted shape or two, a different design
of twisted wire or a hitherto unknown fancy omament.
Etlitor's Noie: When I asked Claire Garrilt, the co-chair of Division III to do an article on embedded
metal, I had no idea it would inwlve so much research and revision. She has done such an excellent
job of adding to an already exceptional research project, lhat we would like to express our gratitude
.for a.job well done which will be appreciated./br many yedrs to come.