Decorated Doublet Buttons

There are several examples in the collection of metal doublet buttons (a bulbous form of button from the 17th century that would adorn garments such as doublets, jerkins, and breeches) with additional decorative features. About half are comprised of tinned copper alloy and the other half are made of nickel alloy. The most common thematic motif among these buttons is floral or botanical, with eight of the twelve unique motifs fitting into those categories. Other motifs include scroll work, stars, and more geometrical examples. A few of the styles have multiple matching buttons, though never in quantities of more than two or three. While the vast majority of these are cast-relief, there is a single example of an inscribed (engraved) decoration.

These buttons have been found in a various contexts including intact 17th century features such as the First Well, the West Bulwark, Pit 10 (Soldiers Pit), and Midden 1. Similar buttons have been found in other English colonial sites in the mid-Atlantic, as well as in England and continental Europe. Their elaborate decorations could likely be found on garments belonging to the wealthier colonists.

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