Tag: Corozo
Types of buttons for clothing
Buttons are almost as ancient as clothing. Information exists that buttons from the Bronze Age are found in India during excavations and in Turkey buttons are found dating back to 10,000 years B.C. Their history is more than rich. During the millennia they revived for use at times and at times were forgotten. They were characteristic of the clothes of the rich and noble circles and inaccessible to ordinary people. Any kinds of materials were used, from wood and stone to precious metals and diamonds. In 18 – 19 century their decorative value reached unexpected heights, and after the World War II showed up their utility function – then they were used completely as intended – for fastening.
The Ecuadorian Corozo buttons
The large fruits of the tropical palm of the genus Phytelephas, which is also called 'tagua' or 'corozo' hide several brown seeds with very hard white core. It is very similar to ivory and that's why it is called 'vegetable ivory'. Local craftsmen produce wonderful miniature sculptors, valuing the similarity with the precious material.
