buttons

Summary

A collection of buttons used on clothes in Britain. 96,000 items including dress and fashion buttons of every size, type and material dating from the 17th century to the 1990s and 3,000 items comprising of British livery and civilian uniform buttons. Both are supported by documentary and archival material providing information on and context for buttons and button manufacture. The buttons represent an enormous range of techniques; the collections are a microcosm of British handicrafts and Industrial processes. The buttons complement the Gallery of Costume's extensive collection of dress, which includes numerous examples of buttons on garments.