Vintage 1940s Marbled Tortoiseshell Plastic 2\" Intricate Coat Button 1pc For Sale

This oversized vintage statement button features a faux-tortoiseshell design swirled with olive green, espresso brown, and translucent amber. Its raised, eye-shaped medallion is sharply molded with cross-hatching, scale, and geometric feather patterns. Sculpted ridges radiate from the center, framing the design. The reverse is solid dark, slightly concave, and shows light handling marks and fine storage scuffs consistent with age.
• Size: 2 inches (50 mm) / 80 lignes
• Material: Compression-molded plastic / acrylic resin
Dating to the late 1930s or 1940s, this button reflects the era’s advances in synthetic materials. Wartime shortages limited access to natural horn, bone, and tortoiseshell, prompting manufacturers to use molded plastics that mimicked these materials. At 2 inches across, it was designed as a striking focal closure for winter capes, wool overcoats, and tailored garments.
With its tortoiseshell-style swirls and detailed central pattern, this button captures the character of mid-century design. Use it to restore a vintage coat or as a distinctive accent on a handmade piece.

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