A fine collectable old metal story or picture button that is called; The Trumpeter
of Cracow. ( Krakow ) This is a well made antique button with a great deal of detail,
c. apx. 1880 - 1910.
This large figural button depicts a trumpeter watchman on a castle type rampart,
with a scene of another medieval building flying a pennant, surrounded by trees in
the background.As shown on the button, in a tradition that began many, many centuries
ago and is still continued to this very day, every hour a trumpeter plays the Heynal,
an ancient hymn, from the tower of the Church of St. Mary Basilica in Krakow, Poland.
In the 13th century a young trumpeter was killed by an arrow while sounding the
alarm of a Mongol attack on the city and ever since that time, to commemorate this
famous historical event, the music is abruptly stopped, just as the young trumpeter’s
alarm had ended so suddenly centuries before.
This interesting pictorial button is made from pewter, on a black painted ground,
with brass back and colet. Self shank.
It is exceptionally nice antique estate condition, free of breaks or cracks. There
is a very tiny ding to brass back, near edge and one to top of shank, as shown in
second image. The button is structurally very sound and aesthetically pleasing.
Self shank is good, with just the one ding, but has not been significantly flattened.
Details of rampart, medieval trumpeter and background remain quite defined.
Really a fine antique button, commemorating an important, historically significant
event that continues to be recognized hourly, to this very day.
