Button

Silver buttons were an important element of traditional dress throughout Europe in the 19th century. Most were worn by men, but in a few places women also wore them. Women's buttons tend to be larger and more decorative than those worn by men. They were mainly worn along the sleeves of the outer jacket, from the cuff to the elbow.

Spherical buttons are the oldest type in Europe, and the pattern of buttons like this one, with applied filigree decoration, probably dates back to the Middle Ages. By the 19th century this design survived only in the extreme north, in Scandinavia and Russia. This button comes from Herrestad district in Skåne, in the south of Sweden, where it was worn by women on their sleeves.

It has the maker's mark EH. Erik Holmberg was a silversmith in Lund who specialised in traditional jewellery. He worked from 1774 to 1819.