Art Nouveau Button Hook Appraisal

Art Nouveau Era Button Hook, Gold Tone with Floral Engravings

The item is an elongated, slender tool, typically known as a button hook, crafted from a gold-toned metal. Its overall shape is slightly curved along its length, with both ends tapering to a rounded point. The surface features intricate floral engravings, suggestive of an Art Nouveau or Aesthetic Movement aesthetic. These engravings depict delicate sprigs or vines with small, rounded flower or berry-like clusters distributed along the central ridge of the tool. The design appears to be continuous and consistently applied across the visible polished surface, indicating a decorative rather than purely utilitarian purpose. The color of the metal is a rich, warm yellow, characteristic of brass or gold-plated materials. There are no immediately visible maker's marks or signatures from the provided image, precluding identification of the specific manufacturer. The tool exhibits a subtle sheen, suggesting either a polished finish or a natural patina characteristic of older metallic items. Given the design motifs, the item likely dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality, with clear etching despite what may be some general surface wear consistent with age and use, although no significant damage or repairs are discernible. Its narrow profile and elegant decoration imply it may have been used for fastening small buttons on clothing, shoes, or gloves, or perhaps as a desk accessory.