Belle Époque Buttons

There is a button collection at the Keep Homestead Museum that includes copies of original pen and ink drawings executed by Monson art teacher and button collector, W. Louise Larsson, and are known as the Belle Époque buttons. She chose to display buttons manufactured during the Belle Époque era with her pen and ink drawings. The original drawings have sustained some damage over the years. However, her buttons are still in fine condition, and have been placed on exhibit along with copies of her pen and ink drawings generated by the use of technology. The Belle Époque period covers the last part of the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century. Very often the designs resemble the Art Nouveau era that is included in that time. There was also interest in Egyptian design inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in the 1920s.

You will be able to see an Art Nouveau swan button, an Egyptian sphinx button, the salamander button, and others from the Belle Époque era. The buttons have been moved to make room for other displays, but ask to view them if you are interested in seeing these creatively mounted buttons.

Written by Jacquie Hatton, 2000

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