7 Surprising Facts About Buttons: Jablonec nad Nisou
Button. This tiny object can either impress us or create a chaotic situation. Usually, we only think about it when it falls off, yet its backstory is quite fascinating, fun, and sometimes even elegant. Most importantly, it has deep ties to our country: in the traditional craft of making buttons, in heritage, and in fashion design.
No matter if your shirt is adorned with a contemporary plastic button or a cherished piece from your grandmother, each button carries its own tale. In the Czech Republic, buttons have evolved into both a thriving industry and a form of art. Did you know that Jindřich Waldes, known as The Button King, established the largest snaps factory in Europe? Or that mother of pearl was crafted into buttons that found homes in cities like Paris and New York? Plus, Žirovnice in the Highlands has historically been dubbed the capital of button making?
In a nutshell – even though buttons are small, they can have a significant impact. Here are seven intriguing facts about buttons you might not already be aware of!
You may have come across the name Henry Waldes before. He is recognized as the founder of the renowned Koh-i-noor company, famous for its patents, and was affectionately called The Button King. Waldes was an art supporter, and he counted among his friends artists like printmaker Vojtěch Preissig, sculptor J. V. Myslbek, and painter Vojtěch Hynais. His residence, Villa Maria, located in Prague’s Vinohrady area, housed a large collection of fine art featuring hundreds of works from artists like František Kupka, Antonín Slavíček, Antonín Chittussi, and Josef Čapek, as well as glass pieces from Count Buqoy’s workshop in the early 19th century.
His title of Button King arose from his extensive button collection, which later laid the groundwork for a unique museum dedicated to buttons and clothespins. However, this fascinating museum was closed in 1948.
From classic styles to whimsical unicorns and even portraits of famous figures, the Jablonec Museum of Glass and Costume Jewellery hides a variety of treasures that might surprise you. This Museum proudly holds an astonishing collection of more than five and a half million buttons! The collection includes traditional pieces as well as extravagant designs, hand-painted glass buttons depicting unicorns, animals, flowers, and portrait buttons of notable individuals. You will also find original cartoon designs, historical industrial creations, and archival glass molds in what is celebrated as the largest button collection in the Czech Republic, demonstrating that even a small item like a button can be a stunning showcase of exquisite craftsmanship and design..
3. Pearl beauties from the Highlands
The town of Žirovnice in the Highlands is famous in the Czech Republic for being the birthplace of mother-of-pearl buttons, which were produced in large quantities starting in the 19th century. This earned Žirovnice the title of the button-making capital. You can take a trip to the Button Museum located in a former brewery at the Žirovnice castle, where the entire manufacturing process from raw shells to finished buttons is on display. Today, the museum exhibits historical models, machinery, and molds. You can also see different types of mother-of-pearl and learn about the machines used to create them.
Tip If you want an escape from boredom: Take a journey through the beautiful countryside surrounding Žirovnice and Počátky, where you can discover remnants of mother-of-pearl production and stories of local artisans.
4. Buttons – not just from Great Moravia
Buttons. Such a beautiful, somewhat mysterious word – and it originally comes from Slovak. It refers to a style of decorative button or spherical jewel that was worn as far back as the Great Moravia period in the 9th and 10th centuries. These intricate ornaments were often lavishly decorated, sometimes even adorned with gold and enamel or engravings, serving both practical and decorative purposes.
Buttons can still be viewed today at places like the Monument of Great Moravia in Old Town, the Archaeoskanzen Modrá near Velehrad, the exhibition at the Slavic fortress in Mikulčice, or at various shows about Great Moravia. While examining their unique shapes and details, remember that even a small button might boast royal connections.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, buttons became something quite fashionable. During the Baroque era, they served not just as fasteners for clothing but also as symbols of wealth and taste. Buttons were often lavishly adorned with engravings and miniatures, gemstones, or mother-of-pearl. Noble wardrobes featured dozens of buttons, sometimes just for decorative effect. At that time, it was true that the more buttons a person had, the higher their social standing. Today, you can admire the finest pieces in places like the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague or in various regional collections.
6. Patents: a Czech invention, a worldwide success
When Jindřich Waldes began creating patents, he had no idea that this little metal fastening wonder would gain worldwide popularity. And that’s what happened! His company Koh-i-noor has become a household name for snaps, studs, hooks, and various fastening tools. Patents were used in underwear, dresses, coats, and uniforms. Czechoslovakia emerged as a major global producer of small textile items, and goods from Waldes’ company were shipped around the world.
A reminder of that time is the famous Miss KIN, also known as the girl with the patent. This iconic portrait of a woman with an eye patch served as one of the key advertisements during the First Republic.
7. Buttons that talk: materials, shapes, symbols
A button can be made of various materials including plastic, gold, wood, and glass, whether simple or intricately carved. Throughout history, buttons have been fashioned from bones, horns, wood, metal, porcelain, textiles, and even recycled materials. Today, button collecting remains a popular hobby, and these buttons often carry special meanings: for example, there are military buttons featuring an eagle or lion, and uniform buttons showcasing logos of factories or schools.
If you have an interest in craft, fashion, history, or design, buttons will astonish you with their wide variety. Explore locations like Žirovnice, Jablonec, Prague, or Velehrad, and visit dedicated museums and exhibits. You can also walk along craft trails or simply observe buttons in paintings at museums and galleries.
From a simple fastening item, a button transforms into a small history museum of fashion, time, and craftsmanship. And if you happen to spot a button that someone has dropped on the ground, consider picking it up; it might just bring you good fortune.
