Examples from the heydays of realistic buttons

1935: “Amusing” bottle shaped buttons made by an Australian for Anthony Hordern’s.

1936. Tiny lacquered wooden clothes pegs.

1936: Two shrimp buttons on a tailored frock.

News (Adelaide), 4th November 1937 page 12.

1936: miniature carrots

1937: four-leaf clovers.

1937: wooden fish

Key and lock buttons in bone.

1940: padlock buckle and key buttons.

1942: Look at the size of those flower buttons!
More of Pat’s collection