Material: Chromed Brass
Diameter: 20mm
Description: This attractive heraldic button showcases a meticulously struck Scottish thistle directly in the center of its convex, domed face. The central flowering head rises from a bulbous, textured base, which is flanked on both sides by sharply defined, prickly acanthus-style leaves that wrap elegantly around the lower curve. Plain unmarked back with a fixed shank.
Circa: Late 19th Century to Mid 20th
Notes:
The thistle motif holds a legendary status in Scottish lore, tracing back to the 13th-century Battle of Largs where an invading Norse soldier reportedly stepped on a prickly thistle, crying out and alerting the sleeping Scottish defenders to a surprise attack. This particular 20mm specimen is categorized by militaria and livery enthusiasts as an "unmarked" variety, meaning the reverse side features a completely blank backplate lacking a maker's name or city stamp. Buttons of this design were widely utilized across Scotland for civilian highland dress jackets, private estate livery uniforms, and various regional pipe bands. Collectors evaluate these pieces based on the crispness of the leaf veins and the retention of the original silvering, as frequent polishing over the decades often wears down the highest points of the central flower head.