Buttons

Men throughout Europe wore silver buttons with their traditional costume in the 19th century. Although filigree buttons were the most typical, many countries used buttons made of sheet metal as well. Most European cultures disapproved of male jewellery, but buttons allowed men to show off their wealth and status. They wore them in extravagant numbers, on sleeves and trousers as well as jackets and waistcoats.

Swedish men wore several different kinds of button. These rectangular buttons with cut-away corners were worn on the waistcoat or jacket. They date from the early 19th century, and are much smaller than the rectangular jacket buttons used from the late 19th century onwards.

These buttons have the maker's mark NP on the back. They were probably made by Niclas Petterson, who worked in Karlskrona from 1814 to 1836, although there are also other Swedish silversmiths with these initials.