Summary

These nine buttons were excavated at one of the digs on the Commonwealth Block between 1988 and 2003. They are made from a variety of materials, including brass, shell, bone and glass. One button is made by Turner and Company.

Working in Little Lon.
Alongside the tightly packed cottages, commercial enterprise thrived in little Lon. Shops sold food and 'fancy goods'. Factories and workshops manufactured bellows, furniture, waterproof clothing and ice cream.

In the 1880s grocers flourished, and in the 1890s clothing firms and Chinese cabinet-makers dominated the local manufacturing scene. But Little Lon's most numerous businesses were the myriad hotels and brothels.

It is easy to overlook the 'invisible' work carried out in people's homes. Because such work was rarely documented we rely on things left behind to tell the story. The abundance of lace bobbins dug up at Little Lon hints at a lace-making industry and busy lives otherwise hidden from history.

Physical Description

These nine buttons are of various sizes and made from various materials. They all have four holes through them positioned in a square.

Physical Description

Eight buttons of varying sizes and made of various materials. Nine buttons at this number, August 1999. Made of worked shell, white glass, brass. One made by Turner and Company.

More Information