This is an antique Victorian black glass mourning button, likely produced in the late 19th century in the historic glass-producing region of Jablonec (Bohemia, now the Czech Republic).
CharacteristicsMaterial: Pressed and molded black glass (frequently referred to as "French Jet"), which became widely popular during the mid-to-late Victorian era for mourning jewelry and attire.
Shape: A highly distinctive "Mickey Mouse" silhouette, which is actually a specialized three-lobe or clover configuration.
Design Detail: Intricate molded facets designed to mimic costly cut steel or precious black jet. It features individual raised diamond structures, star patterns, and a finely crimped decorative border along the outer edge.
Origin: These components were expertly produced using hand-engraved steel molds and hand-trimmed by historic manufacturers like Gebruder Mahla or Gebruder Feix.
The simple C-clasp and the shape of the backplate confirm this piece was made between 1880 and 1895. During this timeframe, Bohemian manufacturers commonly mounted molded black glass shapes onto sturdy base-metal plates to be worn as heavy bodice pins or cloak fasteners.