Thirteen split and ground button blanks.
Object No. E5182-23
This object is part of a collection which illustrates how pearl shell was made into pearl buttons in Sydney in the 1930s. The display was given to the Museum by The Pearlbutton Manufacturing Company of Foster Street, Sydney, in 1933. Pearl divers in places such as Thursday Island, Broome and Port Darwin harvested the Golden Lip pearl shell, (Pinctada maxima), from which the buttons were made. The shell was shipped to the Sydney factory for production. After cutting the button shaped pieces from the shell, the 'blanks' were then split to an even thickness, an operation performed by hand and one requiring considerable judgement and skill. Buttons made from pearl shell were valued because they were durable and retained their lustre unaffected by washing. After World War II, plastics replaced pearl shell as the preferred material for buttons. The Torres Strait supplied over half the world demand for pearl shell in the 1890s. In addition to buttons, pearl shell was used for cutlery, hair combs, jewellery, decorative objects and inlay for furniture. The Powerhouse Museum collection includes a variety of objects made from pearl shell. Kathy Hackett, Photo Librarian
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Summary
Object Statement
Thirteen pearl button blanks on a card, part of a didactic collection showing how pearl buttons were made, pearl shell/cardboard, made by The Pearlbutton Manufacturing Co Ltd, Foster Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1933
Physical Description
Thirteen pearl button blanks on a card, part of a didactic collection showing how pearl buttons were made, pearl shell/cardboard, made by The Pearlbutton Manufacturing Co Ltd, Foster Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1933 Thirteen split and ground button blanks that have been part fashioned and mounted on a white backing board.
DIMENSIONS
Height
198 mm
Width
78 mm
SOURCE
Acquisition Date
23 April 1933
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