Vintage Carved Tagua Button Earrings

Very unusual intricately carved Tagua nut or sometimes referred to as “Vegetable Ivory” buttons. Buttons are also what is called a whistle button. This is because the button craftsmen would only put one hole in the front of the button and two in the back, looking like an old-fashioned whistle. This would then protect the thread from damage but there’s also the possibility it would catch air and whistle! I mounted the buttons in gold plated cups dangling from hand beaded gold filled earring wires. The earring wires are extra long for added security.