Victorian Pierce Ornate Brass Button with Purple and Rhinestone Glass Accent set in Sterling Silver

Victorian Glass in Metal Buttons

Victorian glass-in-metal buttons, popular from the 1840s–1900s, were primarily driven by fashion trends and mourning customs, with high-quality pressed glass — often black, milk, or iridescent — set into metal rims or featuring metal shanks. Production peaked in Bohemia (modern Czech Republic), utilizing advancements in press-molding to create intricate, affordable, and luxurious designs. The epicenter of production was Jablonec nad Nisou (Gablonz), producing intricate, pressed glass often featuring metallic, iridescent “carnival” looks.