Medieval Brass Ball Button with Ring, 1pc

Medieval Brass Ball Button with Ring, 1pc

High Medieval Fashion and the Significance of Ball Buttons

Historical originals of similar cast buttons date back to the 14th through 15th centuries, representing the High and Late Gothic eras. In the 14th century, a fundamental revolution occurred in European tailoring: garments became close-fitting, and buttons emerged as a crucial element for fastening clothes. Ceasing to serve merely a functional purpose, they became a prominent symbol of the wearer's social status and wealth. On the attire of the nobility and wealthy burghers, they frequently appeared in dense rows down the front of doublets or cottehardies and along tight sleeves from elbow to wrist.

This button is crafted as a solid casting made of pure brass. Its body features the characteristic full spherical shape measuring 13.8 mm / 0.54 in in diameter, embellished around its perimeter with a subtle sculptural ring. On the underside, it features a sturdy shank with an inner clearance of 5.1 mm / 0.20 in, allowing you to easily pass thicker waxed thread or linen thread through. The generous shank hole ensures quick, reliable sewing onto the garment and allows smooth fastening into fabric or leather loops.

Button Specifications Table

Care of Metal Buttons and Safety Guidelines

My friend, to ensure these buttons serve you well for a long time and retain their beautiful appearance, proper care is recommended. As this is a solid metal casting weighing 11 g / 0.39 oz, do not machine wash garments fitted with these buttons—this could damage the washing machine drum, wear off the surface patina, or tear the buttons from the fabric. We recommend gentle hand washing or dry cleaning of the garment only. Due to air moisture, the brass surface may naturally acquire a patina over time; if you prefer a high shine, it can be lightly polished with a dry cotton cloth and a metal polish designed for non-ferrous metals. Sew the buttons on using strong waxed thread or linen thread onto a reinforced edge of the fabric so they hold securely even during vigorous combat movement.

Recommended Accessories

Along with these elegant Gothic buttons, we strongly recommend purchasing high-quality wool fabric or broadcloth for tailoring a period cottehardie or doublet, strong linen thread for sewing, and a matching brass belt buckle from the 14th or 15th century. Your newly created attire will thus achieve a perfectly cohesive and historically accurate character.