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Tag: Bakelite

Vintage Drawer Pulls from the 1920s-1950s

This past weekend I was visiting a friend in her small town and we went into a vintage store that specialized in furniture. As we wandered the store I could not help but notice all the fantastic drawer pulls on the dressers (seen below).

vintage drawer pulls collection-Vintageinn.ca blog
Collection of Vintage Pulls seen on travels

This trip then inspired me to put together a roundup of vintage drawer pulls from the 1920’s-1950’s for my readers to enjoy as well.

Let the browsing begin!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Drawer Pulls from the 1920s-1950s

Set of 7 1920s metal drawer pulls with bakelite amber inset (avail as of March 23rd, 2022 HERE).

Set of 7 1920s metal drawer pulls with bakelite amber inset

Source: Etsy

Wooden Acorn Pulls for the win (circa 1920’s)! I wonder what the drawer that this was attached to, looked like?

1920s era wooden leaf and acorns drawer pulls vintage home decor
Source: Etsy

Art Deco 1920s Bakelite pull-so so pretty!

Orange Bakelite Art Deco Drawer Pull 1920s vintage
Source: Etsy

Another set of Art Deco Pulls. I love the colour.

1920s Art Deco Bakelite Bronze Handles Pulls
Source: Etsy

Waterfall/Shell drawer pull, 1920s/ 1930s.

1920s 1930s Art Deco Vintage Drawer Pulls
Source: Etsy

Black Bakelite Drawer Pulls 1930’s.

Black Bakelite Drawer Pulls 1930s
Source: Etsy

Vintage 1930’s-40s’ Art Deco multi color and chrome drawer or door handles.

vintage 1930s-40s Art Deco multi color and chrome drawer or door handles
Source: Etsy

Another Art Deco Handle (truly an awesome era for this fixture).

vintage deco drawer pull w backplate
Source: Pinterest

Vintage 1940’s Jadeite Green Cabinet Drawer Pulls.

Vintage 1940s Jadeite Green Cabinet Drawer Pulls
Source: Pinterest

Brass-1950’s. Now this is a cool design!

VIntage drawer pull 1950s dresser pull mid century modern
Source: Etsy

1950’s gold tone cast metal drawer pull handles.

vintage 1950s gold tone cast metal drawer pull handles
Source: Coupon Christmas

1950’s Bakelite, Art Deco style drawer handles. Want!

1950s Bakelite Drawer Pulls Vintage Handles
Source: Pinterest

Question time: What was your favorite from above? Are you a collector of vintage drawer pulls? Share in the comment section below.

FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts HERE.

Liz

Vintage Buttons-The Little Beauties of the Clothing World

Have you ever stumbled upon a treasure trove of vintage buttons from the 1920s-1950s? These tiny pieces of decorative art may seem insignificant, but they hold a fascinating history within their intricate designs. From delicate floral patterns to bold geometric shapes, these buttons were more than just functional fasteners – they were a reflection of the time period they were created in.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of vintage buttons and explore their different styles thru the 1920s-1950s.

So buckle up and get ready to discover the charm and nostalgia of these tiny relics from the past.

Vintage Buttons Blog Post

Note: This post is inspired by a comment that Theresa from Vintage Style Files said on a past clothing blog post:

“They had some of the coolest buttons and buckles on clothing back then”

As I sat back and thought about her comment, I realized that she was completely right! So for today’s post I want to show off those little beauties of the clothing and accessories world.


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.


Vintage Buttons-The Little Beauties of the Clothing World

1940s Vintage ad: 1948 Ad for Originales Buttons featuring an illustration of a woman in a 1940s two piece suit surrounded by buttons.
1948 Vintage Ad for Originales Buttons

To begin here is a fantastic article by Hobby Lark on “Vintage Button Guide-Ways to Identify Antique Buttons” . This article will get you up to date on the different types of buttons out there (Bakelite, Celluloid, Lucite, Metal etc.), how to identify them and how to clean them. An excellent read for all vintage clothing enthusiasts out there.

Now examples of Vintage Buttons:

Vintage Celluloid Buttons. Celluloid buttons became very popular during the late 1900’s through the 1920’s. They can be opaque, transparent or both and they come in all shapes, sizes and colors (Source).

Vintage Celluloid Buttons. Celluloid buttons became very popular during the late 1900's through the 1920's. They can be opaque, transparent or both and they come in all shapes, data-lazy-sizes and colors
Source: Etsy

Set of twelve Art Deco matching vintage buttons in a striking art deco design. The buttons are styled from plastic with a grooved design and a scalloped edge to the top.

Vintage buttons: Set of twelve Art Deco matching vintage buttons in a striking art deco design. The buttons are styled from plastic with a grooved design and a scalloped edge to the top.

Source: Etsy

Bright Green Celluloid Buttons. Very Art Deco looking.

Vintage Buttons: Bright Green Celluloid Buttons. Very Art Deco looking.
Source: Etsy

Buttons don’t have to come in just the round shape, they can come in all shapes and sizes. Like these Celluloid ‘Ribbon’ buttons. What kind of outfit or accessory do you think they were used for?

Vintage Buttons: Celluloid 'Ribbon' buttons.
Source: Etsy

Vintage Cornflower Blue art deco buttons from the 1940s-50s, made of an early plastic called casein.

Vintage Buttons: Vintage Cornflower Blue art deco style buttons

Source: Etsy

Bakelite Buttons-not the first plastic buttons, but are some of the most sought after and highly collected. They come in all shapes and sizes and are heavier than Celluloid buttons (Source).

The below buttons are Vintage Black and Apple Juice Bakelite. Called apple juice because at one point the yellow was white and has gone yellow over time.

Further Reading: Bakelite! The Must Have Vintage Fashion Accessory

Vintage Buttons: Vintage Black and Apple Juice Bakelite buttons. Called apple juice because at one point the yellow was white and has gone yellow over time.
Source: Etsy

Vintage Apple Juice Bakelite Buttons.

Vintage Buttons: Vintage Apple Juice Bakelite Buttons.

Source: Etsy

Cream Corn Fluted Vintage Bakelite buttons. These look like little works of art.

Vintage Buttons: Cream Corn Fluted Vintage Bakelite buttons.
Source: Etsy

Lucite Buttons were most popular from the 1930’s on through the 1960’s. It’s a low density material but stronger than plastics that came before it. They can be clear or opaque and different colors, shapes and sizes and could also be carved (source).

Here is a beautiful example of 1940’s Lucite buttons, looking like miniature flower bouquets.

Vintage Buttons: 1940's Lucite buttons, looking like miniature flower bouquets
Source: Etsy

Vintage 1930s Blue Hand Painted Heart Hearts Buttons

Vintage 1930s Blue Hand Painted Heart Hearts Buttons

Source: Etsy-RagsandBonesVintage

Yooza look at these! Hands down my favorite buttons of this whole blog post. Lucite Cherry Candy Buttons. I can envision these beauties on a sweet 1940’s/50’s summer dress. Could you?

Lucite Cherry Candy Buttons.
Source: Etsy

1940’s Bow Buttons-Cute as a….Button. Now I know what the reference to buttons means in that saying! Because at one point all the buttons were “cute”.

Vintage Buttons: 1940's Bow Buttons
Source: Etsy

You could purchase these buttons for the packaging alone (it’s that cool) but you don’t have to because these ‘Teen Agers’ themed 1940’s plastic buttons are together and in mint condition.

Vintage Buttons: 'Teen Agers' themed 1940's plastic buttons
Source: Etsy

1950’s and the Kitsch continues with these adorable Plastic Shoe Buttons.

Vintage Buttons: 1950s vintage shoe buttons
Source: Etsy

I will now end this vintage button extravaganza with one more 1950’s kitschy plastic button, this time in the shapes of fruit. Carmen Miranda would of loved these.

Vintage Buttons: 1950s vintage plastic fruit buttons
Source: Etsy

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing what buttons looked like in various decades. I know I did!

Question Time: Do any of your vintage outfits have some outstanding buttons? Or maybe you own a collection of vintage buttons yourself. Please share!


I have also started an Etsy collection of vintage buttons for sale (updated monthly) that you can shop at right now!


Liz